How will it be correct: professors or professors?

Professors or professors? You do not know the answer to the question posed? You can find it in the article presented.

general information

In Russian there is a huge number of nouns, which are rather problematic to put in the plural. For example, not everyone knows how it will be right: professors or professors. Someone argues that the first option is correct, and someone uses only the second in written and oral speech.

Background

The plural of the word "professor" and other nouns with a hitting ending -y, -y or -a is the remainder of the dual number. Surely many know that earlier in the Russian language there were three forms of the number, namely:

• Multiple;
• the only thing;
• The dual.

The latter was applied only in relation to pairs of subjects. Let's give an illustrative example: "eyes" - two, "eye" - one, and "comb" - a lot. Now the following lexical units belong to the form of the dual number: "eyes", "sides", "horns".

One can not ignore the fact that back in the days of M.V. Lomonosov's words were called the only nouns standing in the plural, where in the shock position was exactly the last syllable. Moreover, about "centuries" they spoke "eyelids", about "evenings" - "evenings", etc. Later such model with the shock ending began to spread quickly. As a result, by the middle of the 19th century there were already dozens of such words. Now there are more than 600 of them.

How to determine the correct spelling of a word?

Before you understand how to properly pronounce and write - professors or professors, it should be noted that there is no specific rule on this subject in the Russian language. In this regard, if you need to use this word in the text, it is recommended to refer to the spelling dictionary or reference book. It's the only way to quickly and easily establish how it will be right: professors or professors. If the reference book is not at hand, we recommend that you memorize the note below.

How will the "professor" be in the plural?

The plural of such a noun is as follows: "professor". As for the lexical unit ending with -y, this is an obsolete word. It was used in this form about a century ago. Although many modern people often use it in written and spoken language. It should be noted that there is nothing criminal in this. But if you need to write the text as wisely as possible in modern Russian, then the word "professor" should be used. Otherwise it will be considered a spelling mistake.

hint

On how to speak correctly - professors or professors, we found out a little higher. As you managed to notice, there is no specific rule in Russian on this account. One should only remember that it is recommended to use only the first variant in writing and in oral speech. But if you constantly get confused in such lexical units, then we advise you to use the following hint.

In 99% of 100, nouns in the singular ending in -or and denoting any inanimate objects form a multiple form in -y. Here are some illustrative examples: contract - contracts, detector - detectors, refrigerator - refrigerators, inductor - inductors and so on.

As for the noun names for -or, which denote animate objects, in some cases they may have an ending -a, but in others -y. Let's give an illustrative example: director - directorA, professor - professorA, but constructor - constructors. Thus, if you are dealing with animate objects, then to determine their spelling, it is recommended to refer to the spelling dictionary or the reference book.

Forecast for the future

The model for -a / -y, and also for -y / -a is distributed in Russian quite quickly. Many linguists await in horror the advent of "experienced accountants", "fresh cakes" and so on. However, it should be noted that, nevertheless, there are certain factors that independently regulate the normative formation and do not allow "chauffeurs" to become "chauffeurs".

As for other similar words, in the plural, their stress and correct ending is best checked by dictionary. If this is problematic for you, it is recommended to remember them, for example, with the help of such simple rhyme-hints as contracts - thieves, director A - master, and so on.

Spelling of other words

As mentioned above, in Russian there are quite a lot of words that are problematic to put in the plural because of their duality. That's why we decided to present to your attention only the right and most preferable options: editors, contracts, children's camps, passes (certificate), conductors, sectors, tractors, boats and so on.