The English language is filled with captivating words, and legend is one that frequently appears in literature, conversation, and even popular culture. But what happens when we want to talk about more than one legend? Understanding the plural of “legend” is not only a simple matter of grammar—it’s an essential skill for anyone aiming to communicate clearly, whether in academic essays, storytelling, everyday conversations, or professional writing.
Mastering the pluralization of nouns like “legend” is crucial for both native speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It helps avoid common errors, ensures precise expression, and enhances your confidence in using English in diverse contexts.
This article uses “legend” as a case study to explore pluralization rules, exceptions, and best practices.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn:
- The definition and grammatical role of “legend”
- How to form and use the plural correctly
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Advanced and idiomatic usages
- Practice exercises to test your understanding
Whether you are a student, teacher, writer, editor, or English language learner, this article will provide you with the tools and examples needed to master the plural of “legend”—and gain greater confidence in English grammar as a whole.
Table of Contents
- Definition Section
- Structural Breakdown
- Types or Categories
- Examples Section
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ Section
- Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1 What Is the Plural of Legend?
Legend (noun): An old and popular story that may or may not be true, especially one handed down from earlier times and often involving heroic characters or events. For example, “The legend of Robin Hood is famous.”
In grammar, the plural refers to the form of a noun that indicates more than one person, animal, place, thing, or idea.
The plural of “legend” is legends. This is the standard form used when referring to two or more legends.
3.2 Grammatical Classification
“Legend” is a countable noun, meaning it can be counted and has both singular and plural forms.
Countable nouns can be used with numbers and quantifiers (one legend, two legends). Uncountable nouns, like “information” or “water”, do not have a plural form and cannot be counted individually.
| Form | Singular | Plural | Possessive Singular | Possessive Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | legend | legends | legend’s | legends’ |
| Example | a legend | many legends | a legend’s origin | the legends’ meanings |
Examples of countable vs. uncountable nouns:
- Countable: book/books, apple/apples, legend/legends
- Uncountable: music, advice, information
3.3 Function and Usage Contexts
“Legend” can function as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It is commonly used in literature, academic writing, everyday speech, and storytelling.
| Role | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Subject | Legends inspire generations. |
| Object | They retold the legend to the children. |
| Complement | She became a legend in her field. |
| Indirect Object | He gave the legend a new interpretation. |
In literature, “legend” often refers to traditional stories, while in everyday speech, it can describe a person famous for extraordinary achievements (“He is a living legend.”).
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1 Pluralization Basics in English
Most English nouns form the plural by adding -s or -es to the singular form. These are called regular plurals.
- cat → cats
- bus → buses
Some nouns are irregular and change form completely (e.g., child → children, man → men).
4.2 Pluralization Pattern for “Legend”
“Legend” follows the regular pluralization rule: simply add -s to form the plural.
- legend → legends
Step-by-step:
- Start with the singular noun: legend
- Add -s: legend + s = legends
4.3 Pronunciation Differences
The pronunciation of “legend” and “legends” is similar, with the plural adding a voiced /z/ sound at the end.
| Form | IPA Pronunciation | Phonetic Description |
|---|---|---|
| legend (singular) | /’lɛdʒ.ənd/ | LEJ-ənd |
| legends (plural) | /’lɛdʒ.əndz/ | LEJ-əndz |
4.4 Spelling Consistency
No spelling change occurs to the base word. You simply add -s.
Similar words:
- friend → friends
- trend → trends
- legend → legends
4.5 Syllable and Stress Patterns
Both “legend” and “legends” have two syllables, with primary stress on the first syllable.
- le·gend: /’lɛdʒ.ənd/
- le·gends: /’lɛdʒ.əndz/
Adding “-s” does not shift syllable count or stress.
5. Types or Categories
5.1 Standard Plural: “Legends”
The most common and correct plural of “legend” is legends.
- There are many legends about ancient heroes.
- Urban legends spread quickly online.
5.2 Collective and Non-Count Usages
Occasionally, “legend” or “legends” can be used to refer to a body or collection of stories or traditions, rather than individual ones.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | This legend is well-known. | One specific story |
| Plural | These legends are famous. | Multiple stories |
| Collective | The legends of Greece shape its culture. | The entire tradition of legends |
5.3 Proper Noun Usage
Sometimes “Legend” appears in proper nouns or titles, such as The Legend of Zelda. In titles, the word is usually not pluralized unless referring to multiple works or entities.
- The Legend of Zelda (singular title)
- Legends of Tomorrow (title with plural form)
5.4 Idiomatic and Figurative Plurals
“Legend” is used in idiomatic expressions and figurative language:
- Living legends – people who are admired as legendary during their lifetime
- Urban legends – widely circulated but unverified stories
Literal: Legends of Greece are ancient stories.
Idiomatic: These athletes are living legends.
6. Examples Section
6.1 Basic Singular vs. Plural Examples
| Singular Sentence | Plural Sentence |
|---|---|
| This legend is famous. | These legends are famous. |
| A legend tells about a hero. | Legends tell about heroes. |
| She read a legend. | They read several legends. |
| The legend explains the stars. | The legends explain the stars. |
| He is a legend in music. | They are legends in music. |
| I heard a legend. | I heard many legends. |
| The legend was written long ago. | The legends were written long ago. |
| Every legend has a lesson. | All legends have lessons. |
| She learned a legend. | They learned legends. |
| This is a legend. | These are legends. |
6.2 Examples by Context
| Context | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Academic | Many legends exist in world mythology. |
| Literary | The legends of King Arthur have inspired countless works. |
| Everyday | Local legends say the house is haunted. |
| Storytelling | She enjoys telling legends from her culture. |
| Figurative | Those musicians are living legends. |
- Academic: Scholars compare the legends of different civilizations.
- Literary: Many novels incorporate ancient legends into their plots.
- Everyday: People love to share urban legends online.
- Storytelling: Grandparents often recount the legends of their youth.
- Figurative: Some athletes become legends in their lifetime.
6.3 Comparative Examples with Similar Nouns
| Noun | Singular Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|
| legend | A legend is told in every village. | Legends are told in every village. |
| myth | A myth explains the origin of the world. | Myths explain the origins of the world. |
| tale | This is a tale from ancient times. | These are tales from ancient times. |
| story | He read a story to the class. | She read stories to the class. |
6.4 Examples of Misuse and Correction
| Incorrect Usage | Correct Usage |
|---|---|
| There are many legend’s about dragons. | There are many legends about dragons. |
| He heard several legendz. | He heard several legends. |
| Urban legendes are interesting. | Urban legends are interesting. |
| Those legend is famous. | Those legends are famous. |
| These legend have been told for centuries. | These legends have been told for centuries. |
| Many legend says the same thing. | Many legends say the same thing. |
| King Arthur’s legend’s are famous. | King Arthur’s legends are famous. |
6.5 Advanced Sentence Examples
| Advanced Example | Notes |
|---|---|
| Although many legends describe the hero’s journey, each legend adds its own unique twist to the narrative. | Plural and singular used in one sentence. |
| Legends, which have been passed down verbally, often contain elements of truth hidden within fantastical details. | Complex, relative clause. |
| Stories and legends from around the world reveal the values of different cultures. | Plurals in a compound subject. |
| The legends’ origins remain a mystery, intriguing historians and folklorists alike. | Plural possessive used correctly. |
| While some legends are based on historical events, others are purely fictional creations. | Contrasting two types of legends. |
- It is only through the study of legends that we can appreciate the oral traditions of ancient peoples.
- Legends and myths often overlap in their content and purpose.
- Few legends have been as influential as those of ancient Greece and Rome.
- Analyzing legends reveals much about the societies that created them.
- In many cases, legends survive when written history does not.
7. Usage Rules
7.1 Forming the Plural: The Rule for “Legend”
The rule is simple: add “-s” to “legend” to make “legends”.
- legend + s = legends
7.2 Countable Noun Usage
Use “a legend” for one, and “legends” for more than one.
| Noun Type | Example | Correct? |
|---|---|---|
| Countable (singular) | She told a legend. | Yes |
| Countable (plural) | She told legends. | Yes |
| Uncountable | She told legend. | No |
7.3 Articles and Quantifiers
With plurals, do not use “a” or “an”. Instead, use quantifiers like “many”, “a few”, or “several”.
| Quantifier | Correct Use | Incorrect Use |
|---|---|---|
| many | many legends | many legend |
| a few | a few legends | a few legend |
| several | several legends | several legend |
| the | the legends | the legend (only for singular) |
| some | some legends | some legend |
- Correct: There are many legends about this mountain.
- Incorrect: There are many legend about this mountain.
7.4 Subject-Verb Agreement
A plural noun requires a plural verb:
- Correct: Legends tell stories of the past.
- Incorrect: Legends tells stories of the past.
Examples:
- These legends fascinate me. (Correct)
- These legends fascinates me. (Incorrect)
- The legend fascinates me. (Correct, singular)
7.5 Special Cases and Exceptions
When “legend” is used as a title or in a non-count sense, pluralization may not be needed. In set phrases, idioms, or proper nouns, follow the established form:
- Legend of Zelda (title; not pluralized)
- Legends of Tomorrow (title; already pluralized)
- Urban legends (set phrase; always plural)
8. Common Mistakes
8.1 Incorrect Plural Forms
Some common errors include using apostrophes or incorrect endings.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| legend’s | legends |
| legendes | legends |
| legendz | legends |
| legendss | legends |
| legends’ | legends |
| legendses | legends |
| legendz’ | legends |
8.2 Misapplication of Irregular Plural Rules
“Legend” is not an irregular noun, so forms like legenda or legendi are incorrect. These errors occur when learners confuse “legend” with Latin or other irregular forms.
- Incorrect: legenda, legendi
- Correct: legends
8.3 Subject-Verb Disagreement
Always use a plural verb with “legends”.
- Incorrect: Legends tells the story.
- Correct: Legends tell the story.
8.4 Confusion with Similar Words
Learners sometimes confuse “legend” with similar nouns such as “myth”, “tale”, or “story”, and incorrectly use their plural forms.
- Incorrect: Many myths and legend are told here.
- Correct: Many myths and legends are told here.
8.5 Errors in Idiomatic Usage
Be careful when using set phrases. Some are always plural (urban legends), while others are singular (a legend in his own time).
- Incorrect: He is an urban legend. (if referring to multiple stories)
- Correct: Urban legends are common online.
9. Practice Exercises
9.1 Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises
- There are many ________ about King Arthur.
- This ________ is very old.
- People enjoy telling ________ at campfires.
- She heard an interesting ________ from her grandfather.
- ________ say the lake is haunted.
- A ________ explains the origins of the festival.
- These ________ have been passed down for generations.
- He is a ________ in the world of football.
- ________ often teach moral lessons.
- That ________ is not well known.
9.2 Error Correction
Identify and correct the mistakes:
- There are many legend’s about this place.
- These legend is famous in our village.
- Urban legendes are interesting to read.
- Several legend tell the same story.
- She is a living legends.
- That legends is not true.
- People love hearing legendz from different cultures.
9.3 Identification Exercise
Is “legend” used correctly? Write C for correct, I for incorrect.
- A legend says the mountain was formed by a giant.
- Many legend are about magical creatures.
- They studied legends from different regions.
- This legends is famous in literature.
- Urban legends often spread quickly.
- She told a legends to the children.
- Living legends inspire new generations.
9.4 Sentence Construction
Write your own sentences using “legend” or “legends”:
- ______________________________
- ______________________________
- ______________________________
- ______________________________
- ______________________________
9.5 Answer Key
9.1 Fill-in-the-Blank Answers:
- legends
- legend
- legends
- legend
- Legends
- legend
- legends
- legend
- legends
- legend
9.2 Error Correction Answers:
- There are many legends about this place.
- These legends are famous in our village.
- Urban legends are interesting to read.
- Several legends tell the same story.
- She is a living legend.
- That legend is not true.
- People love hearing legends from different cultures.
9.3 Identification Exercise Answers:
- C
- I
- C
- I
- C
- I
- C
9.4 Sentence Construction:
Answers will vary. Sample responses:
- The legend of Atlantis has fascinated people for centuries.
- Many legends warn about the dangers of greed.
- He became a legend in the world of sports.
- Legends are often based on true events.
- They collected legends from different cultures for their project.
10. Advanced Topics
10.1 Pluralization in Different Dialects and Regional Englishes
“Legends” is the standard plural in all varieties of English. There are no significant differences between British and American English regarding the pluralization of “legend”.
| Dialect/Region | Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| British English | legend | legends | British legends are well documented. |
| American English | legend | legends | American legends include tales of the Wild West. |
| Australian English | legend | legends | Australian legends feature bushrangers. |
10.2 “Legend” as a Collective or Mass Noun
Rarely, “legend” can be used in a mass or collective sense, particularly in literary or poetic contexts.
- Legend endures where history is forgotten. (Here, “legend” refers collectively to the tradition of legends.)
- They lived in a world of legend and myth. (Collective usage.)
10.3 Pluralization in Compound Nouns and Adjectival Phrases
When “legend” is part of a compound noun, the plural is usually formed by adding “s” to the main noun:
| Compound | Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| legend-maker | legend-maker | legend-makers | Folklorists are legend-makers. |
| legend-inspired story | legend-inspired story | legend-inspired stories | They wrote legend-inspired stories. |
| legend-hunter | legend-hunter | legend-hunters | The team of legend-hunters explored the ruins. |
10.4 Pluralization in Titles and Proper Names
In titles, the plural is only used if the title itself is plural.
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (singular, fixed title)
- Legends of Tomorrow (plural, fixed title)
Do not change the form of “legend” in proper nouns or established titles.
10.5 Figurative and Metaphorical Extensions
The word “legends” is often used figuratively to describe people, organizations, or things that achieve great fame:
- They are living legends in their sport.
- The band’s music made them legends in the industry.
- Urban legends are stories believed by many but lacking evidence.
11. FAQ Section
- What is the correct plural of “legend”?
The correct plural is legends. - Can “legend” ever be used as an uncountable noun?
Very rarely, “legend” is used collectively (as in “the realm of legend”), but in most cases, it is countable. - Are there any exceptions to the plural rule for “legend”?
No, “legend” is a regular noun. The only correct plural is “legends”. - Why do some people write “legend’s” as a plural?
This is incorrect. “Legend’s” is possessive, not plural. The correct plural is “legends” (no apostrophe). - How do you use “legends” in a sentence?
Example: “Many legends are told about the lost city.” - Is it correct to say “more than one legend” or “more than one legends”?
“More than one legend” (singular noun) is correct. - How does the plural of “legend” compare to similar words like “myth” and “tale”?
All take regular plurals: legend → legends, myth → myths, tale → tales. - Can “legend” be pluralized in compound nouns?
Yes. Example: “legend-makers”, “legend-inspired stories”. - How is the plural of “legend” pronounced?
“Legends” is pronounced /ˈlɛdʒ.əndz/, with a voiced “z” sound at the end. - Are there idiomatic expressions that use the plural “legends”?
Yes. Examples: “living legends”, “urban legends”. - What are some common mistakes learners make with the plural of “legend”?
Using “legend’s” as a plural, subject-verb disagreement, and confusing it with irregular forms like “legenda”. - How is the plural of “legend” handled in titles and proper nouns?
In titles, use the form given: “Legend of Zelda” (singular title), “Legends of Tomorrow” (plural title). Do not change the established title.
12. Conclusion
In summary, the plural of “legend” is straightforward: simply add -s to form legends. Despite its simplicity, correct pluralization is crucial for clear and accurate communication, especially in academic, literary, and everyday contexts.
By understanding the rules, reviewing examples, and practicing through exercises, you can confidently use “legend” and “legends” in any situation. Mastery of noun pluralization not only prevents mistakes but also enhances your overall English proficiency.
Continue practicing with other grammar topics to further strengthen your language skills—and remember, even legends started as learners!