Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank page, wondering whether to write appendices or appendixes? Or maybe you’ve been tripped up by sneaky word pairs like since vs. sense or composed vs. comprised? You’re not alone. Even the most seasoned writers struggle with these grammar gremlins. But here’s the good news: understanding the difference between appendices and appendixes—and mastering those tricky word pairs—is easier than you think. Whether you’re polishing a research paper, drafting a report, or just want to sharpen your skillset, this guide will clear up the confusion once and for all. Let’s dive in and make your writing shine!
appendices or Appendixes: The Core Debate
Let’s clear up the confusion: should you write appendices or appendixes? The answer depends on context, tradition, and a little bit of linguistic evolution.
First, what exactly is an appendix? In writing, an appendix is a supplementary material that doesn’t fit neatly into the main body of a document. Think research papers, nonfiction books, reports—anywhere you need to add extra details like raw data, citations, or charts without cluttering the core content. Essentially, it’s a “bonus section” that supports your main text without disrupting the flow.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Appendices are the Latin plural, preferred in academic and formal writing. So if you’re submitting a dissertation, publishing a research paper, or following APA guidelines, stick with appendices:
“The study included multiple appendices containing survey responses and statistical analyses.”
But if you’re in the medical field, you might hear appendixes more often—because when referring to that small organ in your abdomen, “appendixes” is the commonly accepted plural:
“The surgeon removed two inflamed appendixes.”
Both forms are correct, but style guides like APA, Chicago Manual of Style, and MLA recommend appendices when discussing written materials. The Oxford English Dictionary recognizes both spellings but notes that “appendices” has been the dominant form in academic and professional circles for centuries.
If you want to sound polished in formal writing, go with appendices. If you’re talking anatomy or casual English, appendixes won’t raise eyebrows. Either way, pick a spelling and stick with it—consistency matters more than debating the finer points of Latin vs. English pluralization.
Why the Confusion? A Quick Grammar Lesson
So, now that we’ve settled the appendices or appendixes debate, you might be wondering: why do some words have two plural forms in the first place? And why does English love making things harder than they need to be? Well, the answer lies in linguistic history, Latin roots, and English’s habit of borrowing without returning.
Latin vs. English Plurals
English is a bit of a word hoarder. Over centuries, it borrowed heavily from Latin, Greek, French, and other languages, absorbing their rules but applying them inconsistently. That’s why we have words like an index with two plural options:
- Indices (Latin) – preferred in mathematics and formal settings.
- Indexes (English) are common in everyday usage (think book indexes).
This pattern repeats across many words: matrix → matrices, radius → radii, appendix → appendices. But as English evolved, so did its spelling preferences. People started anglicizing words to make them easier to use, leading to acceptable variations like indexes instead of indices—and, of course, appendixes alongside appendices.
So, Which One Should You Use?
It all comes down to formality and audience. If you’re writing something scholarly—academic papers, research, or professional documents—stick with appendices to align with standard conventions. If you’re using the word casually or medically, appendixes are perfectly fine.
Why Do Some Words Shift Over Time?
Language is always changing, and English is especially guilty of this. Some words keep their original Latin forms, while others evolve to match modern usage. A great example? Data. Traditionally, “data” is the plural of “datum,” but in everyday English, it’s treated as a singular mass noun (“the data is clear”).
Similarly, composed vs comprised is another tricky pair that confuses writers. Technically, “comprised of” is incorrect, but it’s been used so often that some people treat it as acceptable. The same fluidity applies to appendices or appendixes—both exist, but context dictates the “right” one.
Common Grammar & Spelling Pitfalls
Now that we’ve tackled the quirks of appendices or appendixes let’s dig into something equally frustrating—those sneaky word pairs that trip up even experienced writers. Whether it’s spelling mishaps, incorrect plurals, or grammar missteps, some words just refuse to play nice. Here’s your quick guide to avoiding some of the most common slip-ups.
1. Since vs. Sense
These two might sound similar, but they’re miles apart in meaning.
- Since it refers to time or reason:
- “I haven’t seen him since last year.” (Time)
- “Since you asked, I’ll explain.” (Reason)
- Sense relates to perception or logic:
- “That doesn’t make sense.”
- “She has a strong sense of direction.”
If you’re ever stuck, ask yourself: Is it about time or logic? That should steer you in the right direction.
2. Tying vs Tieing
Let’s settle this once and for all: “tying” is correct, “tieing” is not.
Why? English has a handy little rule: When a verb ends in -i.e., drop the e and add -ing. That’s why we write tying a knot instead of tieing a knot.
3. Vicious vs Viscous
Mixing these up can lead to some very odd descriptions.
- Vicious means cruel, aggressive, or intense:
- “The dog had a vicious bite.”
- Viscous describes a thick, sticky liquid:
- “Honey is more viscous than water.”
One describes an attitude; the other describes texture. If it’s about behavior, it’s vicious; if it’s about consistency, it’s viscous.
4. Composed vs. Comprised
This is a grammar battle that’s been raging for years.
- Composed of is correct:
- “The committee is composed of five members.”
- Comprised of is technically incorrect, though widely misused:
- ❌ “The team is comprised of experts.” (Wrong)
- ✔ “The team comprises experts.” (Correct)
A good trick? “Comprised of” should almost always be avoided.
5. Scrapped vs. Scraped
These two might look alike, but their meanings couldn’t be more different.
- Scrapped means discarded:
- “They scrapped the old project and started over.”
- Scraped means rubbed against a surface:
- “I scraped my knee on the pavement.”
If it’s about getting rid of something, use scrapped. If it’s about rubbing against something, go with scraped.
6. I vs. Me
This one causes endless confusion, but the fix is simple.
- Use I when it’s the subject of the sentence:
- “My brother and I went to the store.”
- Use me when it’s the object:
- “She gave the book to my brother and me.”
A quick trick? Remove the other person from the sentence.
- ❌ “She gave the book to I.” (Wrong)
- ✔ “She gave the book to me.” (Correct)
7. Pickup vs. Pick Up
Context matters.
- Pickup (one word) is a noun or adjective:
- “He drives a pickup truck.” (Noun)
- “We arranged a pickup location.” (Adjective)
- Pick up (two words) is a verb phrase:
- “Can you pick up groceries on your way home?”
If it’s an action, keep it two words. If it’s a thing, make it one word.
8. Feal vs. Feel
Here’s an easy one: “Feal” is archaic and no longer in use. If you want to talk about emotions or sensations, always use “feel.”
- “I feel happy today.”
- “Do you feel the difference?”
If you ever see feal in modern writing, it’s likely a typo.
9. Skill Set or Skillset?
Both are technically correct, but “skill set” (two words) is the preferred form in professional and academic writing.
- “He has a strong skill set in marketing.” (Preferred)
- “Her skillset includes coding and design.” (Acceptable, but less formal.)
If you’re unsure, go with skill set—it’s widely accepted and won’t raise any eyebrows.
10. By Hook or By Crook
This phrase has been around for centuries and means “by any means necessary.”
- “He was determined to win the case by hook or by crook.”
It’s an old English idiom, so don’t try to break it apart or change the wording. Just use it as is.
When to Use Appendices in Writing
Now that we’ve tackled common grammar pitfalls let’s get practical. If you’re writing a research paper, book, or report, you might find yourself with extra material—important but not essential to the main text. That’s where appendices or appendixes come in. Instead of tweaking your core content until it’s overloaded with details, offload those extras into an appendix. Here’s when and why to do it.
1. When You Have Raw Data or Detailed Statistics
Numbers can add credibility to your work, but too much data in the main body can overwhelm your reader. If you have large tables, raw survey results, or in-depth calculations, appendices are the perfect place to store them. This keeps your writing clear while still making the information accessible for those who want to dig deeper.
2. When You Need to Include Charts, Graphs, or Figures
Visual aids are great, but they don’t always fit seamlessly into your main discussion. If you reference a graph that supports your argument but isn’t essential for every reader to see immediately, put it in an appendix and simply mention it in the text. For example:
“For a full breakdown of survey responses, see Appendix A.”
3. When Extra Context Would Distract from Your Main Argument
Sometimes, you need to provide background information, long explanations, or supplementary resources—but stuffing them into your main text can derail your argument. Instead, keep the main content concise and direct readers to the appendix for those who need more details.
4. When You Want to Include Legal or Technical Documents
If your writing involves contracts, questionnaires, official forms, or technical specifications, it’s best to put them in an appendix rather than forcing readers to skim past blocks of fine print. This applies to everything from business reports to academic research.
Final Note
So, is it appendices or appendixes? The answer depends on your context: use appendices for formal writing and appendixes for casual or medical contexts. But beyond this core debate, we’ve also tackled some of the most common grammar pitfalls—like tying vs. tieing, vicious vs. viscous, and pickup vs. pick up. By mastering these nuances, you’ll not only elevate your writing but also avoid those cringe-worthy mistakes that can undermine your credibility. Whether you’re writing by hook or by crook or simply striving for clarity, remember that consistency and attention to detail are your best allies. Now go forth and conquer those appendices (or appendixes) with confidence!
frequently asked questions
Yes, appendixes is grammatically correct, but it’s less common in formal writing. It’s primarily used in medical contexts or casual English. Appendices are the preferred plural form for academic or professional documents.
In APA style, appendices are labeled with letters (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and referenced in the main text. For example:
- In-text reference: “(See Appendix A for survey results).”
- Appendix title: “Appendix A: Survey Results and Data Analysis.”
- Always ensure your appendices are clearly labeled and organized for easy reference.
- Since it refers to time or reason:
- Time: “I haven’t seen her since last week.”
- Reason: “Since you’re here, let’s get started.”
- Sense relates to perception or logic:
- “That doesn’t make sense.”
- “She has a strong sense of direction.”
The correct spelling is tying. When a verb ends in -ie, drop the -e and add -ing. For example: “She is tying her shoelaces.”
- Composed of is correct: “The team is composed of five members.”
- Comprised of is technically incorrect. Instead, the use comprises: “The team comprises five members.”
