plurally

Plurally is an adverb meaning in a plural manner or in reference to more than one entity. It is primarily used in linguistic, grammatical, or theoretical discussions rather than in everyday speech. As the adverbial form of the adjective plural, plurally denotes plurality in the way an action or description relates to multiple referents.

Etymology: Plurally is formed from the adjective plural with the suffix -ly, following the standard English pattern for adverbs. The base adjective plural derives from Latin pluralis via Old French and early English usage, with plurally emerging in later English as a specialized term in linguistic description.

Usage: The term occurs mainly in technical writing on morphology, syntax, or agreement systems. In ordinary prose, writers typically prefer phrases like "in the plural" or "plural form" rather than "plurally." When used, plurally often describes analyses of pronoun reference, noun class, or verbal agreement that apply to groups rather than individuals.

Notes: Because plurally is relatively uncommon outside specialized discourse, it may be unfamiliar to readers and can feel formal or archaic to some audiences. In many contexts, clearer wording such as "in plural form" or "plurally indicated" is avoided in favor of simpler alternatives.

See also: plural, plurality, pluralization, grammatical agreement.