It’s a question that pops up more often than you might think, especially when you’re deep into a research paper, a lengthy report, or even just a well-detailed book. You’ve reached the end, and there’s that section with supplementary material – but what do you call it when there’s more than one? Is it 'appendixes' or 'appendices'?
Honestly, I’ve seen both, and for a long time, I wasn’t entirely sure which one was the 'correct' choice. It turns out, the English language, in its wonderfully quirky way, allows for both. Think of it like this: 'appendixes' is the more straightforward, Anglicized plural, while 'appendices' is the one that harks back to the word's Latin roots.
Looking at dictionaries and style guides, you’ll find that both are generally accepted. Merriam-Webster, for instance, lists both 'appendixes' and 'appendices' as valid plurals for the noun 'appendix'. The same goes for other reputable sources. It’s a bit like 'formulas' versus 'formulae' or 'stadiums' versus 'stadia' – both forms have found their place in common usage.
So, which one should you use? My personal take, and what I often lean towards in my own writing, is to go with 'appendices' when referring to the supplementary material at the end of a written work. It feels a little more formal, perhaps, and it’s the form I most frequently encounter in academic and professional contexts. However, if you’re writing something more informal, or if 'appendixes' just rolls off your tongue more easily, there’s really no harm done.
It’s worth noting that the word 'appendix' itself has a couple of meanings. Beyond the supplementary material in a book, it also refers to the vermiform appendix in anatomy – you know, the little organ that sometimes causes trouble. In that medical context, 'appendices' is still the preferred plural, though 'appendixes' isn't entirely unheard of.
Ultimately, the most important thing is clarity. Whether you choose 'appendixes' or 'appendices', your readers will likely understand what you mean. If you’re writing for a specific publication or institution, it’s always a good idea to check their style guide. But for general purposes, you have a bit of flexibility here. It’s a small linguistic detail, but one that can sometimes cause a moment’s hesitation. Now you know: both are perfectly fine!
