English UsageGrammar guide

Plural of Cod

Use “cod” for both singular and plural when referring to the fish or its meat in ordinary usage. The invariant plural makes “cod” a non-trivial number-form case rather than an ordinary add-s plural.

Quick answer

Use “cod” for both singular and plural when referring to the fish or its meat in ordinary usage.

Key details

Confusion Familyinvariant animal plural
Rule Familynumber and countability
Termscod
Variant ScopeThe fish noun “cod” normally has the same singular and plural form: one cod, several cod.

Further guidance

Core difference

Use “cod” for both singular and plural when referring to the fish or its meat in ordinary usage.

Fast Test

Do not infer an -s plural mechanically from the spelling; specialized taxonomic or non-fish senses can follow their own conventions.

Usage Boundary

The invariant plural makes “cod” a non-trivial number-form case rather than an ordinary add-s plural.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Cod — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence that the fish noun cod has invariant plural cod.

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