Understanding the Plural of ‘Sir’: Rules, Usage, and Examples

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English pluralization follows many familiar patterns, but it also contains numerous exceptions, historical quirks, and special cases. One such interesting case is the plural form of the respectful term “sir”. Unlike most nouns, which simply add an -s or -es, the plural of sir involves unique usage conventions and nuanced rules that learners often overlook.

Why does this matter? Using the correct plural forms—especially in polite or formal contexts—is essential for clear, respectful communication. Whether you are a student, teacher, professional, or writer, mastering the plural of “sir” helps you avoid embarrassing mistakes and improves your grasp of English etiquette and grammar.

This comprehensive guide will explore the plural of “sir” in depth. You’ll learn about its definitions, grammatical classification, standard and historical plural forms, usage rules, examples, exceptions, and advanced nuances. We’ll also compare “sirs” with alternatives like “gentlemen” and “Messrs.”, provide tables and dozens of examples, and include practice exercises with answers.

Whether you’re a beginner curious about why “sir” doesn’t follow usual patterns, or an advanced user refining your formal English, this article is designed to enhance your understanding and confidence in using this important honorific.

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What Does “Sir” Mean?

The word “sir” is a versatile English honorific used primarily as a polite or formal form of address. Its roots trace back to the Middle Ages.

Etymology: “Sir” originated from Middle English sir, derived from Old French sire meaning “lord” or “master,” which in turn comes from Latin senior meaning “older” or “elder.”

Functions:

  • Polite address: used when speaking respectfully to a man, especially someone older or of higher status.
  • Military or institutional address: used in the armed forces, schools, police, and customer service.
  • Title of knighthood: preceding a man’s given name who has been knighted (e.g., Sir Isaac Newton).
Context Function Example
Polite address Respectful term “Excuse me, sir, may I help you?”
Military Rank/formality “Yes, sir!”
Customer service Respect for customer “Can I assist you, sir?”
Knighthood title Formal honorific “Sir Paul McCartney”

3.2. Grammatical Classification

“Sir” is primarily a noun with two grammatical roles:

  • Common noun: when used as a term of address (“Yes, sir.”)
  • Proper noun: when part of a knighted title (“Sir Isaac Newton”)

It is a countable noun when referring to multiple titled men or multiple polite addresses (“two sirs”). It also functions as a vocative expression, directly addressing someone to get their attention or show respect.

3.3. What is the Plural of “Sir”?

The standard plural form of sir is “Sirs”. This follows the typical English rule of adding -s to create a plural.

Historically and contextually, other plural forms like gentlemen or Messrs. (abbreviation of “Misters”) may be used as alternatives, but these are not direct grammatical plurals of “sir.”

Use “Sirs” when:

  • Addressing multiple men formally
  • Referring collectively to multiple knighted men or titled individuals

3.4. Usage Contexts of the Plural Form

The plural “Sirs” appears mostly in formal written or spoken communication involving multiple men.

Context Usage Example
Business letter Salutation “Dear Sirs,”
Formal speech Group address “Sirs, may I have a moment of your time?”
Knighthood Multiple titled men “Sirs Paul Smith and John Brown attended.”
Meeting Attention call “Gentlemen, or rather, Sirs, please be seated.”

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Regular Pluralization Pattern

Forming the plural of “sir” is straightforward:

sir + -s = Sirs

This is a regular plural, unlike irregular plurals such as man/men or child/children.

Singular Plural Notes
sir Sirs Regular pluralization with -s
Mr. Messrs. Irregular plural abbreviation
Lord Lords Regular pluralization
Gentleman Gentlemen Irregular vowel change

4.2. Capitalization Rules

Capitalize “Sirs” when:

  • It starts a sentence or greeting (“Dear Sirs,”)
  • It is used as a title before names (“Sirs Elton John and Paul McCartney”)

Lowercase “sirs” when:

  • Used mid-sentence not as a title or greeting (“The sirs were knighted last year.”)

Examples:

  • Dear Sirs, we request your approval.
  • The sirs in question are famous musicians.
  • Sirs, may I interrupt?

4.3. Position in Sentences

“Sirs” can appear:

  • At the beginning as a vocative: “Sirs, please remain seated.”
  • Within a sentence as a noun phrase: “The sirs were honored guests.”

Examples:

  • Sirs, thank you for attending.
  • We spoke with the sirs after the ceremony.
  • Sirs and madams, welcome to the conference.

4.4. Historical Variations and Obsolete Forms

Historically, alternatives like “Sires” (meaning fathers or noblemen) or “Gentlemen” were used more broadly. Today, “sirs” remains standard, though it is often replaced by “gentlemen” in modern usage to sound less rigid.

In literature and older correspondence, plural greetings like “Gentlemen” or “My Lords” were common instead of “Sirs.”

4.5. Pluralization in Titles vs. Address

As a title, “Sirs” refers to multiple men who each hold the title of “Sir”:

  • “Sirs Elton John and Paul McCartney.”

As an address, “Sirs” is a general plural honorific to multiple men:

  • “Dear Sirs, we await your reply.”
  • “Sirs, please take your seats.”

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Plural of “Sir” as a Form of Address

“Sirs” is commonly used:

  • In business letters: “Dear Sirs,“
  • In formal meetings: “Sirs, may I begin?”
  • In courtrooms or military briefings

Sample greetings:

  • Dear Sirs,
  • Sirs, I appreciate your time.
  • Sirs, with your permission, I will continue.

5.2. Plural Referring to Multiple Titled Men

When referring to a group of knighted individuals, use “Sirs” as a plural title:

  • “Sirs Paul Smith and John Brown received awards.”
  • “All the Sirs attended the banquet.”
Context Example
Listing multiple knights “Sirs Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Ian McKellen.”
Referring collectively “The Sirs were honored guests.”

5.3. Alternative Group Terms

Instead of “Sirs,” the following are often used:

  • Gentlemen – polite, non-title plural
  • Messrs. – plural of Mr., formal abbreviation for multiple men
Term Usage Example
Sirs Formal plural of “sir” “Dear Sirs,”
Gentlemen Polite plural address “Gentlemen, please stand.”
Messrs. Multiple men in a list “Messrs. Smith and Jones”

5.4. Cultural and Regional Variations

British English: Historically used “Dear Sirs” in business letters, now moving toward inclusive greetings.

American English: Less common to use “Sirs,” preferring “Gentlemen” or inclusive terms.

South Asian English: Plural “Sirs” is frequently used in speech and letters, e.g., “Respected Sirs,” even if less common elsewhere.

Notes: Modern business etiquette recommends more inclusive alternatives like “Dear All” or “Dear Colleagues.”

6. Examples Section

6.1. Basic Examples

  • “Yes, sir.” (singular)
  • “Yes, sirs.” (plural)
  • “Dear Sirs, we write to confirm…”
  • “Sirs, may I have your attention?”
  • “The sirs were knighted last year.”
  • “Excuse me, sirs, but the meeting will start now.”
  • “Please follow me, sirs.”
  • “Good morning, sirs.”
  • “Thank you, sirs, for your cooperation.”
  • “All the sirs signed the document.”

6.2. Examples in Formal Writing

  • “Dear Sirs, kindly find attached the requested files.”
  • “Dear Sirs, your application has been approved.”
  • “The Sirs were present at the award ceremony.”
  • “We wish to extend our gratitude to the Sirs listed below.”
  • “Dear Sirs, please accept this letter as formal notice.”
  • “The invitation was sent to all Sirs and Ladies.”
  • “Our legal team contacted the Sirs involved.”
  • “Dear Sirs, we regret to inform you of the delay.”
  • “The following Sirs have been knighted this year.”
  • “Dear Sirs, we await your prompt response.”

6.3. Examples in Speech

  • “Sirs, permission to speak freely.”
  • “Thank you, sirs, for your service.”
  • “Sirs, I have an urgent update.”
  • “Sirs, please proceed to the conference room.”
  • “Good afternoon, sirs.”
  • “Sirs, the presentation will start shortly.”
  • “Sirs, please review the agenda.”
  • “Sirs, I appreciate your feedback.”
  • “Sirs, with your permission, I will continue.”
  • “Sirs, any questions before I move on?”

6.4. Comparative Examples with Alternative Terms

  • “Gentlemen, please be seated.” (polite alternative)
  • “Sirs, please be seated.”
  • “Messrs. Smith and Jones will attend.”
  • “Dear Gentlemen, we look forward to your reply.”
  • “Dear Sirs, thank you for your inquiry.”
  • “Dear Messrs., please review the attached document.”
  • “Gentlemen, the meeting is about to begin.”
  • “Sirs, the results are impressive.”
  • “Messrs. Brown, Green, and Black were present.”
  • “Gentlemen, your cooperation is appreciated.”

6.5. Incorrect vs. Correct Examples Table

Incorrect Correct Explanation
Dear Sir’s, Dear Sirs, Apostrophe misuse for plural
Dear sir, gentlemen: Dear Sirs: Mixing singular and plural forms
The sirs was honored. The Sirs were honored. Subject-verb agreement error
Sirs’ are waiting. Sirs are waiting. Unnecessary apostrophe
Dear sirs, Dear Sirs, Should be capitalized in greeting
Yes, Sirs. Yes, sirs. Mid-sentence should be lowercase
All sir attended. All sirs attended. Incorrect singular usage
The Sir’s have arrived. The Sirs have arrived. Apostrophe misuse
The Sirs is here. The Sirs are here. Subject-verb agreement
Dear Sir and Gentlemen, Dear Sirs, Mixing singular and plural

6.6. Tables to Include

Table: Singular and Plural Examples

Singular Plural
Yes, sir. Yes, sirs.
Dear Sir, Dear Sirs,
Is that your seat, sir? Sirs, is this your table?
Thank you, sir. Thank you, sirs.
Sir, may I ask? Sirs, may I ask?
Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sirs.
The sir was honored. The Sirs were honored.
Good morning, sir. Good morning, sirs.
Sir, your order is ready. Sirs, your orders are ready.
Sir, please sign here. Sirs, please sign here.

Table: Formal Greetings

Greeting Context
Dear Sirs, Business letter
Sirs, Opening a speech
Gentlemen, Formal polite address
Messrs., Multiple Misters in letterhead
Esteemed Sirs, Polite, very formal letter

Table: Contextual Usage Sentences

Context Sentence
Military “Sirs, permission to speak freely.”
Business “Dear Sirs, please review the contract.”
Speech “Sirs, thank you for attending.”
Knighthood “The Sirs were knighted by the Queen.”
Customer Service “Thank you, sirs, for shopping with us.”

Table: “Sirs” vs. “Gentlemen” vs. “Messrs.”

Term Plural of Usage Example
Sirs Sir Formal plural address or title Dear Sirs,
Gentlemen Gentleman Polite plural address Gentlemen, please listen.
Messrs. Mr. Business letter plural Messrs. Brown and Black

Throughout this section, we have included over 50 example sentences showcasing different uses, contexts, and comparisons for “sir” and its plural forms.

7. Usage Rules

7.1. When to Use “Sirs”

  • When writing a formal letter to multiple male recipients you do not know personally: “Dear Sirs,“
  • When addressing a group of men formally in speech: “Sirs, the meeting will begin.”
  • When referring collectively to multiple knighted men: “The Sirs were honored.”

7.2. When *Not* to Use “Sirs”

  • When addressing a mixed-gender group—prefer “Dear All,” “Dear Colleagues,” or “Ladies and Gentlemen.”
  • In informal communication or casual speech.
  • When individual names or titles are known—prefer “Messrs. Brown and Smith” or “Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith.”
  • In modern, inclusive business communication—due to gender exclusivity concerns.

7.3. Subject-Verb Agreement

Always use a plural verb with “Sirs”:

  • “The Sirs are attending the event.”
  • “Sirs have been informed.”
  • “All the Sirs were knighted.”

7.4. Punctuation and Capitalization

  • In greetings, capitalize “Sirs” and follow with a comma or colon:
  • “Dear Sirs:” or “Dear Sirs,“
  • Never use apostrophes to form plurals: avoid “Sir’s.”
  • Within sentences, capitalize only if “Sirs” starts the sentence or is a proper noun/title.

7.5. Exceptions and Special Cases

  • Mixed honorifics: use “Dear Sir or Madam,” not “Dear Sirs and Madams.”
  • Gender-inclusive alternatives are preferred in many professional settings.
  • South Asian English often pluralizes “sir” in speech (“Respected Sirs”), though this is less common elsewhere.

7.6. Summary Table of Rules

Rule Example Notes
Use “Sirs” for plural Dear Sirs, Formal plural address
Don’t use apostrophes for plurals Dear Sirs, Not “Sir’s”
Use plural verbs with “Sirs” Sirs are invited. Agreement
Avoid for mixed-gender groups Dear All, Use inclusive terms
Capitalize in greetings Dear Sirs, Salutation rule
Alternative plural terms Gentlemen, Messrs. Context dependent

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Incorrect Plural Forms

  • Using Sir’s (possessive, not plural)
  • Using Sires (different word, meaning fathers or male animals)
  • Using singular sir when plural is needed

8.2. Misuse in Greetings

  • Mixing singular and plural (“Dear sir, gentlemen:”)
  • Using plural forms when addressing only one person

8.3. Subject-Verb Disagreement

  • “The Sirs is present.” (Incorrect)
  • “The Sirs are present.” (Correct)

8.4. Gender Inclusivity Issues

  • Using “Dear Sirs” when recipients’ genders are unknown or mixed
  • Modern etiquette recommends “Dear All,” “To Whom It May Concern,” or “Dear Colleagues.”

8.5. Overuse or Formality Misjudgment

  • Using “Sirs” in casual emails or speech
  • Choosing “Sirs” where “Gentlemen” or first names would be preferable

8.6. Correct vs. Incorrect Examples Table

Incorrect Correct Explanation
Dear Sir’s, Dear Sirs, Apostrophe misuse
Sires, please listen. Sirs, please listen. Wrong word
The Sirs is here. The Sirs are here. Verb disagreement
Dear sirs, Dear Sirs, Capitalize in greeting
Dear Sirs and Madams, Dear Sir or Madam, Correct pluralization/mix
Dear Sir and Gentlemen, Dear Sirs, Mixing forms
To Sirs Brown and Jones, To Messrs. Brown and Jones, Prefer “Messrs.” for plural Mr.
Dear Sir, Dear Sirs, When writing to multiple men
All sir attended. All sirs attended. Plural missing
The Sir’s have replied. The Sirs have replied. Apostrophe misuse

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank

Sentence Answer
Dear ___, we are pleased to inform you… Sirs
___, may I have your attention? Sirs
The ___ were awarded knighthood. Sirs
Thank you, ___, for attending. Sirs
All ___ have signed the document. Sirs

9.2. Correction Exercises

Incorrect Sentence Corrected Sentence
Dear Sir’s, the report are attached. Dear Sirs, the reports are attached.
The Sirs is attending. The Sirs are attending.
Dear Sires, Dear Sirs,
Sirs’ have replied. Sirs have replied.
Dear sir and gentlemen, Dear Sirs,

9.3. Identification Exercises

Sentence Correct Use of “Sirs”? (Yes/No)
Dear Sirs, Yes
All sir are present. No
The Sirs have arrived. Yes
Sirs’ are waiting. No
Gentlemen, please listen. N/A (not using “Sirs”)
Dear Sir’s, No
Sirs, may I begin? Yes
Sir is here. No (singular)
All the Sirs were honored. Yes
The Sirs is waiting. No

9.4. Sentence Construction

  • Rewrite the singular sentence in plural form:
  • Singular: “Sir, may I have a word?”
  • Plural: “Sirs, may I have a word?”
  • Create sentences with plural “Sirs”:
  • “Sirs, please review the document.”
  • “Sirs, thank you for your cooperation.”
  • “Sirs, the conference begins at noon.”
  • “Sirs, any questions?”
  • “Sirs, kindly proceed to the hall.”

9.5. Mixed Practice

Choose the correct plural form:

  • “Messrs. Brown and Green” (plural of Mr.)
  • “Gentlemen, please be seated” (polite plural)
  • “Sirs, please sign here” (formal plural address)
  • “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome” (gender-inclusive)
  • “Dear Sirs, we await your reply” (formal letter)

9.6. Practice Tables

Table 1: Fill-in-the-Blank

Sentence Answer
___, thank you for joining us. Sirs
Dear ___, the meeting is scheduled for 3 PM. Sirs
The ___ have been knighted. Sirs
All ___ agreed on the plan. Sirs
___, your attention please. Sirs

Table 2: Correction

Incorrect Correct
Sir’s were honored. Sirs were honored.
Dear Sir’s, Dear Sirs,
Sires, may I speak? Sirs, may I speak?
The Sirs is here. The Sirs are here.
Dear sirs, Dear Sirs,

Table 3: Identification

Sentence Correct? (Yes/No)
Dear Sirs, Yes
Sirs’ are waiting. No
Sirs are invited. Yes
All sir attended. No
The Sirs have arrived. Yes

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. Historic Forms and Etymology

“Sir” evolved from Old French sire, meaning “lord” or “master,” related to Latin senior (“older”).

Historically, “sire” was also used as a respectful term, especially for kings; its plural “sires” now means male parents of animals or forefathers, not a plural of “sir.”

In medieval England, plural salutations like “Gentlemen” or “My Lords” were favored over “Sirs.”

10.2. Addressing Multiple Titled People Formally

  • Use “Sirs” before multiple knighted names: “Sirs Elton John and Paul McCartney.”
  • Use “Sir” before each name for clarity: “Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney.”
  • In honors lists, separate titles are often preferred.

10.3. Sociolinguistic Considerations

The plural “Sirs” is:

  • More common in traditional British business English
  • Less common in American English, where “Gentlemen” is preferred
  • Widely used in South Asian English in both speech and writing
  • Less favored in modern global English due to gender exclusivity concerns

10.4. Gender Inclusivity and Modern Alternatives

Modern business etiquette recommends avoiding “Dear Sirs” in favor of:

  • Dear All,
  • Dear Colleagues,
  • To Whom It May Concern,
  • Esteemed Guests,
  • Dear Team,

Style guides such as APA and Chicago now favor gender-neutral, inclusive salutations.

10.5. Comparison with Plurals of Other Titles

Singular Title Plural Form Example
Mr. Messrs. Messrs. Brown and Smith
Sir Sirs Dear Sirs,
Lady Ladies Ladies and Gentlemen
Lord Lords My Lords
Madam Madams / Mesdames Mesdames Dupont and Rousseau

10.6. Use in Literature and Official Documents

In classic literature, you might find:

  • “Gentlemen, I beseech you…”
  • “My Lords, the court is in session.”
  • “Sirs, your attention, please.”

In legal documents or honors lists, plural titles are carefully used for precision and respect.

11. FAQ Section

1. What is the plural of “sir”?
The plural is “Sirs”.

2. Is “sirs” grammatically correct?
Yes, “Sirs” is the standard plural form when addressing or referring to multiple men formally.

3. When should I use “Sirs” instead of “Gentlemen”?
Use “Sirs” in formal business or ceremonial contexts addressing multiple men, especially if they hold the title “Sir.” Use “Gentlemen” as a polite, less formal plural.

4. Is “Dear Sirs” outdated or sexist?
Increasingly, yes. Modern etiquette suggests more inclusive greetings like “Dear All” or “Dear Colleagues.”

5. Can I use “Sirs” to address women?
No. “Sirs” refers only to men. Use gender-inclusive terms instead.

6. What is the plural of “Sir” when referring to knights?
“Sirs,” as in “Sirs Elton John and Paul McCartney.”

7. What are polite alternatives to “Dear Sirs”?
“Dear All,” “Dear Colleagues,” “To Whom It May Concern,” “Dear Team.”

8. Why do some people write “Sir’s”?
It is a common mistake—apostrophes show possession, not pluralization.

9. Is “Sirs” used in American English?
Rarely. Americans prefer “Gentlemen” or inclusive terms.

10. Should “Sirs” be capitalized in a sentence?
Capitalize in greetings or titles. Use lowercase mid-sentence unless it starts the sentence.

11. How do I pluralize “Sir” in a list with titles?
Use “Sirs” if grouping, or “Sir” before each individual’s name.

12. Is there a feminine equivalent plural to “Sirs”?
No direct equivalent. Feminine titles would be “Ladies” or “Dames” (for titled women), but salutations should be inclusive or gender-specific as appropriate.

12. Conclusion

Understanding the plural of “sir”—“Sirs”—is key for correct, respectful English in formal contexts. While it follows regular plural rules by adding -s, its usage depends heavily on context, etiquette, and modern inclusive practices.

We’ve explored its definitions, grammatical classification, usage in address and titles, historical background, cultural variations, common mistakes, and inclusive alternatives. We provided over 50 examples, tables, and exercises to reinforce your learning.

Remember, avoid apostrophe errors, ensure subject-verb agreement, and choose gender-inclusive terms whenever appropriate. Practicing these distinctions will improve your professionalism, clarity, and courtesy in English communication.

For writing in business or formal settings, consult relevant style guides to ensure your salutations are both correct and appropriate for your audience.

Mastering such nuances elevates your English—showing not only grammatical expertise but also cultural awareness and respect.

With careful attention to these guidelines, you can confidently and appropriately use the plural of “sir” in various communicative situations.

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