Incorrect spelling, explanation: when we form plural nouns in English in most cases we simply add the -s ending to a singular noun. However, when a noun ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z we should add the -es ending instead of -s only. As many users of English sometimes forget that the word fishes is often misspelled as fishs, which is incorrect.
Correct spelling, explanation: the word fishes come from the Germanic words fischen or fisch and it entered Old English as the word fisc, which later evolved to the form fishes that we know today. Despite the fact that the spelling of the word fishes has changed over the centuries, its meaning remained the same as it has always been associated with animals living in the water.
Definition of fishes:
1. plural noun – a water animal, its body is covered with scales;
He is really passionate about water creatures and has a few interesting fishes in his aquarium.
2. 3rd person singular verb – catch fishes;
They both love fishing and she fishes together with her husband every weekend.
3. 3rd person singular verb – to try to get something, without saying directly;
Every time John walks into the room Kate fishes for his compliments.
Collocations with fishes:
Some collocations include: dead fishes, freshwater fishes, big fishes (important people)
The police have found hundreds of dead fishes in the local lake.
You can find almost fifty species of freshwater fishes in this lake.
These two men are some big fishes in the company so it’s good to get to know them better.
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Correct, the plural of fish is usually (still) fish. We use the form fishes when we are referring to more than one species of fish (mostly in scientific context), but that is also how the zodiac sign Pisces is often referred to as.
Isn’t fish uncountable?
We keep on making the same typo over and over again! So, so irritating.
Aye.