Plural form question

Question

I was just reviewing an old flashcard set when I noticed something I didn't before.

In the Learn Spanish lessons, the plural of suéter is shown as suéters. Is this correct? I had always learned to add -es to the end of words that end in consonants to make them plural...so I would think it would be suéteres (or maybe sueteres).

I have to admit, it actually doesn't sound correct or look it...but I was wondering whether this was a mistake or whether this is an exception.

Answer 1

The only correct answer that will be accepted in a formal exam of Spanish is suéteres, since the rule says very clearly that words ending in vowel + r always form their plural by adding -es, unless the accent is on the third syllable starting from the last one. That's the rule; another thing is what some people do, of course.

Just for fun, I've checked it in the dictionary, and it appears as suéteres anyway.

Answer 2

I know "suéteres" is correct, but some words have more than one plural form, so "suéters" may also be correct. It's not in my dictionary but you never know. Languages are continuously changing.

Answer 3

I thought so. Anyway, thanks to you both for replying.

And you are right about language changing. Just think...in my day, the word "pimp" referred to a disreputable profession and had a negative stigma to its meaning. Now, though it is slang, it can be a compliment.

Of course, I'm from the old days and I'm an old fart who hasn't changed with the times totally. Anybody calls me a pimp, they will be swallowing their front teeth.