User Clip: Et tu, Sebelius?

In English, the plural is formed by adding an S or ES to a noun. All well and good of course, except in cases where, in so doing, the inflection renders results most unsound. Hence our irregular plurals, like crises and analyses, that avoid the tongue -tied trailer with a mere change in spelling, much less pronunciation. And never the twain shall meet, either/or as they are. So what are we to make of speakers who actually combine the two rules? Behold processes by any other name!

In a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified on the present state of website Healthcare.gov. Unfortunately, she too joined the growing ranks of practitioners who mispronounce the plural of process. close