Calling all grammarians!
What to consider when pluralizing “index?”
Is indexes or indices preferred? Special situations?
Thanks.
Either is okay, but I prefer indexes. Indices relies on the Latin pluralization construction IIRC. Also, it’s a little more snooty sounding/looking to my ear/eye.
It’s like “processes” being pronounced “prah-se-SEEZ.”
Depends on your field of study – when I was an undergrad, I majored in physics, math, and computer engineering (hence my handle). The physics/math people always said “indices”, and the engineering/comp sci types always said “indexes”.
I say and have always said indices and matrices. I do understand that indexes and matrixes are acceptable but I was taught to pluralize them the other way.
From what I understand, you use “indexes” when referring to the end material in a box and “indicies” when referring to a mathematical expression.