Fish vs Fishes
What’s the difference between them?
Fish
Meaning:
A cold-blooded aquatic vertebrate animal typically equipped with fins, gills, and a streamlined body for swimming.
Examples:
1. We caught a big fish from the lake.
2. I love to go fishing on the weekends.
3. The fish market is the best place to get fresh seafood.
Fishes
Meaning:
plural of fish; a group of aquatic animals with fins, gills, and an elongated body covered in scales.
Examples:
1. The fishermen caught a lot of fishes from the river.
2. The tank was full of colourful fishes swimming around.
3. We should be careful not to overfish, so that future generations can also enjoy the bounty of the sea's fishes.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Fish
1. Seafood
2. Angling
3. Fishery
4. Subaquatic Creature
5. Piscean Creature
1. Land
2. Meat
3. Stay
4. Abandon
5. Flee
Fishes
1. Sea creatures
2. Aquatic animals
3. Marine life
4. Finned creatures
5. Fauna
1. Dries
2. Seals
3. Terrestrial Animals
4. Stands
5. Lives on Land
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Fish", "Fishes".
1. The main distinction between the words 'fish' and 'fishes' is that 'fish' is a singular noun, while 'fishes' is a plural form of the same noun.
2. When referring to a single aquatic creature, use the word 'fish.'
3. When referring to more than one aquatic creature, use the word 'fishes.'
4. In American English, the singular and plural forms of the word 'fish' are spelled the same.
5. In British English, the plural form of the word 'fish' is spelled 'fishes.'
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Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
The word 'fish' should be used when referring to a single aquatic vertebrate animal, such as a salmon or trout.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
The word 'fishes' should be used when referring to multiple aquatic vertebrates, such as a school of guppies or minnows.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The singular word 'fish' is pronounced /fi:∫/, while the plural word 'fishes' is pronounced /fiː∫s/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make when using these words is using the plural 'fishes' when referring to a single fish. Another mistake is using the singular 'fish' when referring to multiple fish. It is also important to note the pronunciation differences between the two words.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. All the fishermen on the lake were trying to catch __________.
2. The aquarium was filled with different kinds of __________.
3. We could spot several small __________ swimming around in the pond.
4. The __________ had already been caught and were ready to be cooked.
5. You could see the __________ jumping in and out of the water.
6. The children had fun observing the __________ from the bridge.
1. All the fishermen on the lake were trying to catch fishes.
Explanation: The plural form of the word fish is fishes, so in this sentence, fishes should be used to refer to multiple fish that the fishermen were trying to catch.
2. The aquarium was filled with different kinds of fish.
Explanation: In this sentence, fish should be used as a collective noun to refer to the multiple types of fish present in the aquarium.
3. We could spot several small fishes swimming around in the pond.
Explanation: Here, fishes should be used to refer to multiple small fish in the pond.
4. The fish had already been caught and were ready to be cooked.
Explanation: Here, fish should be used to refer to multiple fish that had already been caught.
5. You could see the fish jumping in and out of the water.
Explanation: In this sentence, fish should be used as a collective noun to refer to the multiple fish jumping in and out of the water.
6. The children had fun observing the fishes from the bridge.
Explanation: The plural form of the word fish is fishes, so in this sentence, fishes should be used to refer to multiple fish that the children observed from the bridge.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.