Understanding the plural form of the word “status” is essential for clear and accurate communication in both formal and informal settings. While seemingly straightforward, the formation of the plural, “statuses,” often causes confusion.
This article provides a thorough exploration of the word “status,” its pluralization, and the grammatical rules that govern its usage. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone looking to improve your English grammar, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to use “status” and “statuses” correctly.
This article will cover the definition of “status,” its structural breakdown, various examples of its use, common mistakes to avoid, and practice exercises to reinforce your understanding. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to properly use “status” in its singular and plural forms.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Status
- Structural Breakdown
- Types or Categories of Status
- Examples of Status and Statuses
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Status
The word “status” is a noun that refers to the relative social, professional, or other standing of someone or something. It can also describe the state or condition of something at a particular time.
Understanding these different nuances is crucial for using the word effectively.
Classification and Function
“Status” functions primarily as a noun in English grammar. It can be a countable noun when referring to different conditions or standings, allowing for a plural form.
However, it can also be used as an uncountable noun in certain contexts, referring to a general state or condition. The context determines whether the singular or plural form is appropriate.
Contexts of Use
The word “status” is widely used across various fields, including sociology, psychology, technology, and everyday conversation. In sociology, it often refers to social standing or hierarchy.
In technology, it indicates the current state of a system or device. In everyday life, it can refer to relationship status, employment status, or the progress of a project.
For example, one might check the “status” of an online order or discuss someone’s “status” in a company.
Structural Breakdown
The word “status” originates from Latin, where it similarly meant “condition” or “state.” Its structure is relatively simple, consisting of six letters and two syllables. The plural form, “statuses,” is created by adding “-es” to the end of the singular form.
This pluralization follows a common pattern for nouns ending in “-us.”
The root word “stat-” is also found in other English words such as “state,” “station,” and “statute,” all of which relate to the idea of a condition or established position. Understanding this connection can help reinforce the meaning of “status.”
Types or Categories of Status
While “status” itself doesn’t have distinct “types,” the concept it represents can be categorized based on the context in which it is used. Here are some common categories:
Social Status
This refers to an individual’s position within a social hierarchy. It can be based on factors such as wealth, occupation, education, and family background.
Social status often influences a person’s access to resources and opportunities.
Professional Status
This relates to a person’s position or rank within their profession or workplace. It can be determined by factors such as job title, seniority, and level of responsibility.
Professional status often affects salary, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.
Relationship Status
This indicates whether a person is single, married, divorced, widowed, or in a relationship. It is a common piece of information shared in social contexts and on social media platforms.
Legal Status
This refers to a person’s standing under the law, such as citizen, resident alien, or undocumented immigrant. Legal status has significant implications for a person’s rights and responsibilities.
Technical Status
This describes the condition or state of a system, device, or process. For example, a computer system might have a status of “online,” “offline,” or “busy.”
Examples of Status and Statuses
To illustrate the usage of “status” and “statuses,” here are several examples categorized by the type of status being described. The examples will be presented in tables for clarity.
Social Status Examples
The following table provides examples of “status” and “statuses” used in the context of social standing.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| His social status improved after he inherited a fortune. | Refers to his standing in society. |
| The anthropologist studied the different social statuses within the tribe. | Here, it refers to various levels of social standing. |
| Her status as a celebrity made it difficult for her to have a private life. | Describes her public recognition and social position. |
| The organization aimed to improve the status of marginalized communities. | Refers to enhancing their social standing and opportunities. |
| Different cultural groups often have varying social statuses. | Highlights the diverse social hierarchies across cultures. |
| The queen’s status is one of immense privilege and power. | Indicates her high social position. |
| The sociologist researched how social statuses affect access to education. | Examines the impact of social standing on educational opportunities. |
| His status as a war hero earned him respect and admiration. | Describes his recognized position due to his heroic actions. |
| The charity worked to elevate the status of women in developing countries. | Aims to improve their social standing and opportunities. |
| The study compared the social statuses of different ethnic groups in the city. | Analyzes the varying social positions of different ethnicities. |
| Her status as a respected elder gave her influence in the community. | Describes her position of authority due to her age and respect. |
| The politician’s actions were seen as an attempt to maintain his high status. | Suggests his efforts to preserve his social standing. |
| The club had different membership statuses. | Indicates various levels of membership within the club. |
| His current status is unemployed. | Describes his current employment condition. |
| The team’s status as champions was well-deserved. | Refers to their position as winners. |
| The professor discussed various social statuses in ancient Rome. | Highlights different social ranks in Roman society. |
| The new law aimed to address inequalities in social status. | Describes the goal of reducing social disparities. |
| His status as an immigrant created unique challenges. | Indicates the difficulties he faced due to his immigration background. |
| The organization fought for equal rights regardless of social status. | Advocates for equality irrespective of one’s social standing. |
| The celebrity’s changing statuses were constantly in the news. | Refers to various changes in their public image and social standing. |
Professional Status Examples
The following table provides examples of “status” and “statuses” used in the context of professional standing.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Her professional status improved after she received a promotion. | Refers to her standing in her career. |
| The company has different employment statuses, including full-time and part-time. | Here, it refers to various types of employment positions. |
| His status as a senior partner allowed him to make important decisions. | Describes his high position in the firm. |
| The organization aimed to improve the status of nurses in the healthcare system. | Refers to enhancing their professional standing and recognition. |
| Different professions often have varying levels of status. | Highlights the diverse professional hierarchies. |
| Her status as a renowned surgeon is well-deserved. | Indicates her high professional position. |
| The study researched how professional statuses affect job satisfaction. | Examines the impact of professional standing on employee contentment. |
| His status as a tenured professor gave him job security. | Describes his secure position at the university. |
| The company worked to elevate the status of its female employees. | Aims to improve their professional standing and opportunities. |
| The survey compared the professional statuses of different age groups in the workforce. | Analyzes the varying professional positions of different age demographics. |
| Her status as a respected lawyer gave her influence in the legal community. | Describes her position of authority due to her legal expertise. |
| The CEO’s actions were seen as an attempt to maintain his high status in the company. | Suggests his efforts to preserve his professional standing. |
| The company offered different employee statuses. | Indicates various levels of employment within the company. |
| His current status is a freelance consultant. | Describes his current employment condition. |
| The firm’s status as a market leader was undisputed. | Refers to their position as a leading company. |
| The manager discussed various professional statuses within the team. | Highlights different roles and responsibilities within the team. |
| The new policy aimed to address inequalities in professional status. | Describes the goal of reducing professional disparities. |
| Her status as an intern created unique learning opportunities. | Indicates the chances she had due to her internship position. |
| The organization fought for equal pay regardless of professional status. | Advocates for equality irrespective of one’s professional standing. |
| The employee’s changing statuses within the company were tracked over time. | Refers to various changes in their roles and responsibilities. |
Technical Status Examples
The following table provides examples of “status” and “statuses” used in the context of technical systems and devices.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The server’s status is currently online. | Refers to the state of the server. |
| The system administrator checked the statuses of all the network devices. | Here, it refers to the various states of the devices. |
| The program displayed the status of the file transfer. | Describes the progress of the file transfer. |
| The application provides real-time status updates. | Refers to current state information. |
| Different devices have varying statuses depending on their configuration. | Highlights the diverse conditions of the devices. |
| The website’s status can be monitored using various tools. | Indicates the state of the website’s functionality. |
| The engineer researched how different statuses affect system performance. | Examines the impact of system conditions on its efficiency. |
| The device’s status as “idle” indicated it was ready for use. | Describes its ready-to-use condition. |
| The software worked to improve the status of the database. | Aims to enhance the database’s condition and efficiency. |
| The report compared the statuses of different servers in the data center. | Analyzes the varying conditions of the servers. |
| The network administrator checked the status of the connection. | Describes the condition of the connection. |
| The system’s actions were logged to track its status over time. | Suggests monitoring the system’s condition. |
| The monitoring system showed different device statuses. | Indicates various conditions of the devices. |
| The printer’s current status is “out of paper”. | Describes its current condition. |
| The network’s status as stable was critical for business operations. | Refers to its condition of stability. |
| The developers discussed various technical statuses during the meeting. | Highlights different states and conditions of the system. |
| The new update aimed to improve the system’s status. | Describes the goal of enhancing the system’s performance. |
| The server’s status as “critical” required immediate attention. | Indicates the urgency of its condition. |
| The team monitored the system’s status around the clock. | Advocates for constant monitoring of the condition. |
| The application’s changing statuses were displayed in the dashboard. | Refers to various changes in its operational state. |
Usage Rules
The primary rule for using “status” is to ensure that you use the singular form when referring to a single condition or standing and the plural form “statuses” when referring to multiple conditions or standings. Here are some additional rules and considerations:
Singular vs. Plural
Use “status” when referring to a single state or condition. Use “statuses” when referring to multiple states or conditions.
Correct: What is the status of the project?
Correct: The report listed the statuses of all ongoing projects.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Both “status” and “statuses” are acceptable in formal and informal contexts. However, in some formal settings, it may be preferable to rephrase a sentence to avoid using the plural form if it sounds awkward or unnatural.
Exceptions and Special Cases
There are no major exceptions to the pluralization rule for “status.” However, as mentioned earlier, in some contexts, it might be more appropriate to use a different word or phrase to convey the intended meaning.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake is using “status” as a plural form. Another is using “stati,” which is the plural form of a different Latin word and is incorrect in most modern English contexts.
Incorrect: The server stati were checked regularly.
Correct: The server statuses were checked regularly.
Incorrect: He has many status.
Correct: He has high status.
Correct: He has multiple statuses.
Another common mistake is using the wrong article (“a” or “an” or “the”) before “status.” Always use the correct article based on the context.
Incorrect: What is status of the project?
Correct: What is the status of the project?
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “status” and “statuses” with the following exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the word.
Exercise 1: Singular or Plural
Choose the correct form of “status” or “statuses” to complete each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What is the ________ of your application? | status |
| 2. The report listed the ________ of all ongoing projects. | statuses |
| 3. His ________ as a volunteer is highly valued. | status |
| 4. The system displays the ________ of each device on the network. | statuses |
| 5. Her ________ as a CEO is well-known in the industry. | status |
| 6. The different ________ of the file were saved. | statuses |
| 7. The team updated the ________ of the project daily. | status |
| 8. They discussed the various ________ of the negotiations. | statuses |
| 9. His social ________ changed after he won the lottery. | status |
| 10. The company tracks the ________ of each order. | status |
Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
Complete the following sentences using either “status” or “statuses” in a meaningful way.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The website provides a ________ page for users to check their order progress. | status |
| 2. Understanding the different ________ within a society is crucial for sociologists. | statuses |
| 3. Her ________ as a respected doctor earned her the admiration of her colleagues. | status |
| 4. The IT department monitors the ________ of all servers to ensure optimal performance. | statuses |
| 5. His ________ as a citizen allows him to vote in elections. | status |
| 6. The database stores the ________ of various tasks within the system. | statuses |
| 7. The project manager reported on the ________ of each task during the meeting. | status |
| 8. The organization aims to improve the ________ of marginalized communities. | status |
| 9. The system logs the different ________ of the network connections. | statuses |
| 10. Her ________ as a student is temporary, but she hopes to become a professor one day. | status |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, it’s helpful to understand the nuances of “status” in more complex contexts. This includes its use in academic writing, formal reports, and specialized fields like sociology and technology.
Status in Academic Writing
In academic papers, “status” is often used to describe complex social phenomena and hierarchies. It’s important to use precise language and provide clear definitions when discussing “status” in this context.
For example, a sociologist might write about the “status inconsistency” experienced by individuals who hold contradictory social positions.
Status in Formal Reports
In formal reports, “status” is frequently used to provide updates on projects, systems, or processes. It’s important to be accurate and concise when reporting on “status,” and to use clear and objective language.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the plural of “status”:
-
Is “stati” an acceptable plural form of “status”?
No, “stati” is not generally accepted as the plural of “status” in modern English. “Stati” is the plural of the Latin word “status” in its original context, but “statuses” is the standard plural form in contemporary English usage. Using “stati” might be appropriate in highly specialized or historical contexts, but “statuses” is the preferred and more widely understood form.
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Can “status” ever be uncountable?
Yes, “status” can be used as an uncountable noun when referring to a general condition or state, rather than specific instances. For example, “He cares deeply about his social status” refers to his overall social standing, not specific statuses. In these cases, the word “status” is treated as a singular, abstract concept.
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Is it better to avoid using “statuses” in formal writing?
While “statuses” is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound awkward or clunky in formal writing. If you find yourself in this situation, consider rephrasing the sentence to use a different word or phrase. For example, instead of saying “The report listed the statuses of all projects,” you could say “The report detailed the condition of all projects.”
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What is the origin of the word “status”?
The word “status” originates from Latin, where it meant “condition,” “state,” or “position.” It has been adopted into English and retains a similar meaning, referring to the relative social, professional, or other standing of someone or something, or the state or condition of something at a particular time.
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How do you pronounce “statuses”?
The pronunciation of “statuses” is /ˈsteɪtəsɪz/. It has three syllables: “stay,” “tuh,” and “siz.”
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Are there any synonyms for “status” that I can use to avoid repetition?
Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as “condition,” “situation,” “position,” “standing,” “rank,” “grade,” “state,” or “level.” Choosing the right synonym can help make your writing more varied and engaging.
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How is ‘status’ used in social media?
In social media, “status” commonly refers to a user’s update or post, indicating their current activities, thoughts, or feelings. It is a way for individuals to share information with their network. For example, “She updated her status to say she was on vacation.”
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Is it correct to say “status update” or “statuses update”?
The correct phrase is “status update” (singular). Even if there are multiple updates, “status update” functions as a compound noun. For example, “I checked for status updates on the project.”
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Can “status” be used as a verb?
No, “status” is primarily used as a noun. There isn’t a common or accepted usage of “status” as a verb in modern English. To express an action related to status, you would typically use verbs like “establish,” “maintain,” “improve,” or “change” in conjunction with the noun “status.”
Conclusion
Understanding the plural form of “status” is crucial for effective communication. While the pluralization rule is straightforward—”statuses” is the correct plural form—it’s important to consider the context in which you’re using the word to ensure clarity and accuracy.
By mastering the usage rules and avoiding common mistakes, you can confidently use “status” and “statuses” in both formal and informal settings.
Remember to practice using the word in different contexts and to pay attention to how it is used by native English speakers. With consistent effort, you’ll become more comfortable and confident in your understanding of this essential grammar concept.
Always consider the context to ensure that your usage is both grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate.