Have you ever stopped mid-sentence and thought, “Wait… is it statuses? Or stati?” You’re not alone. This is one of those weird grammar puzzles that throws even the most seasoned writers off their game. The word “status” looks like it should follow the same rules as Latin-origin words like alumnus or fungus. But does it?
In today’s world—where your social media status, job status, and even server status all matter—it’s more important than ever to use this word correctly. Whether you’re a student writing an essay, a tech professional updating user statuses, or just someone who wants to sound smart in conversation, knowing the right plural form of “status” matters.
This isn’t just a matter of being nitpicky. It’s about clear communication, especially in professional or academic settings. Using the wrong form can make your writing seem careless—or worse, incorrect.
In this article, we’re going to unpack the grammar, dig into the history of the word, explore why “stati” feels right (but isn’t), and walk you through when and how to use “statuses” correctly. We’ll even have a little fun with examples, memory tricks, and other grammar quirks that keep our language interesting.
By the end, you’ll not only have clarity—you’ll have confidence. So let’s finally solve this little puzzle together.
What Does “Status” Actually Mean?
Before we dive into plural forms, let’s get grounded on what “status” means in the first place. At its core, “status” refers to a person’s or object’s condition, position, or state at a given time.
But this word wears many hats:
- In society, status refers to social standing or prestige—e.g., “She holds high status in the community.”
- In tech, it’s used to describe a system’s or server’s operational state—e.g., “The server status is down.”
- In relationships, you might hear: “What’s your relationship status?”
- On social media, a “status” update is a quick post or message that shows what you’re thinking, doing, or feeling.
- In medical or legal contexts, “status” often relates to a patient’s condition or legal position.
Each of these contexts reinforces how versatile and widely-used this word is. And yet, no matter the setting, we still run into the same dilemma: what’s the correct plural?
Why People Think “Stati” Is the Plural
Let’s be real: stati sounds legit. It rolls off the tongue with an air of classical intelligence, and if you know your way around Latin, it seems to follow the familiar pattern of -us to -i. After all:
- Alumnus → Alumni
- Nucleus → Nuclei
- Fungus → Fungi
So, it makes sense that people would apply the same rule to “status.”
Here’s the twist: “status” doesn’t follow that Latin rule. And here’s why.
The Correct Plural of Status: “Statuses”
Despite what sounds elegant or intellectual, the correct plural of “status” in English is “statuses.” Period.
According to trusted sources like:
- Merriam-Webster
- Cambridge Dictionary
The recognized and accepted plural in English is “statuses.”
Example: “The app allows users to update their statuses multiple times a day.”
So why does statuses look awkward to some people? It’s likely because we don’t often pluralize abstract or collective nouns this way. But in everyday English, “statuses” is grammatically correct, natural, and widely used—especially when you’re talking about multiple people, systems, or events with different statuses.
Why “Stati” Is Not Accepted in English
Let’s take a quick trip back to Latin class—but don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple.
Latin Declensions 101
In Latin, nouns are sorted into groups called declensions. These determine how a word changes from singular to plural. Most of the time:
- Words ending in -us that come from the second declension become -i in plural form.
- Alumnus → Alumni
- Cactus → Cacti
- Alumnus → Alumni
But “status” is from the fourth declension, and in Latin, the plural of “status” is also “status.”
unbelievable, right?
However, in English, we don’t keep that rule. English doesn’t use Latin grammar strictly—we adapt it.
So “status” didn’t come over with its Latin plural intact. It got the standard English treatment:
Add -es → Status → Statuses
Meanwhile, “stati” doesn’t follow either English or Latin rules. It’s simply a common misunderstanding, likely born from assuming Latin plurals always end in -i.
How Grammar Rules Evolve Over Time
Language isn’t carved in stone—it’s alive, constantly evolving with how we speak and write. A word’s origin doesn’t always dictate its modern usage. In fact, English is notorious for bending rules and absorbing exceptions.
Take a look:
- Octopus comes from Greek, not Latin, so “octopi” is technically incorrect. Yet it’s still used.
- Cactus has both “cacti” and “cactuses” as acceptable plurals.
- Index can be “indexes” in publishing and “indices” in math or science.
The point? English borrows roots, breaks rules, and builds its own grammar from usage trends. Today’s accepted form becomes tomorrow’s standard—and right now, the accepted form is statuses.
“Statuses” in Digital and Tech Contexts
If you work in tech or spend time online, you’ve probably seen this word everywhere.
- “Check the system statuses before rebooting.”
- “The network statuses are updated every 30 minutes.”
- “Multiple users changed their statuses to ‘Out of Office.’”
In digital environments, where status tracking is essential, the plural form statuses is the only one that makes sense. Imagine telling your team to “check the stati”—they’d probably laugh or Google it.
Even major platforms like Facebook, Slack, and GitHub use statuses in their documentation and UI elements.
Formal vs Informal Usage: Does It Matter?
Let’s say you’re chatting with a friend and you jokingly say, “Let me check everyone’s stati.” Is that the end of the world? Of course not.
But when you’re:
- Writing an email at work
- Preparing a presentation
- Submitting a paper
- Updating documentation
…you’ll want to stick with statuses. It’s the correct, professional, and accepted form.
Even if stati feels witty or clever, resist the urge to use it formally.
Common Misconceptions and Misuses
People mess this one up all the time. Here’s where you’ll often see it used incorrectly:
- Tech forums
- Reddit grammar debates
- Casual blog posts
- Informal Slack channels
- YouTube comments
And why? Because “stati” sounds cool. It feels like it should be right. But it’s not.
Misuse in the Wild
- “The software stati were unstable last week.”
- “The software statuses were unstable last week.”
When in doubt, look it up. And remember: sounding smart isn’t the same as being correct.
Helpful Grammar Tips for Similar Words
Some words just refuse to follow easy plural rules. Here are a few others to watch out for:
| Singular | Correct Plural(s) | Common Mistake |
| Datum | Data | Datums |
| Medium | Media (in journalism) | Mediums (in psychics) |
| Alumnus | Alumni | Alumnuses |
| Index | Indexes (publishing) / Indices (math) | Indexes only |
| Crisis | Crises | Crisises |
Each of these has its own quirks, depending on usage. When in doubt, consult a reputable dictionary—or bookmark this blog.
How to Remember the Right Plural
Here’s a fun little trick to help you remember:
“Just like buses, statuses carry us forward.”
“Status” ends in -us, but don’t let that fool you. Treat it like “bus” → “buses.” Same rule, different context.
Another one:
“You wouldn’t say busi, so don’t say stati.”
Is There Ever a Case for Using “Status” as a Plural?
Surprisingly, yes—but only in very niche, Latin-heavy contexts. For example:
- In ancient Roman law
- Classical Latin writings
- Historical manuscripts
You might see “status” being used as both singular and plural. But in modern English, that’s not the norm, and it’s definitely not appropriate for everyday writing.
The Influence of Pop Culture and Media
You may have heard celebs, TV characters, or influencers say things like:
“Let’s update our stati!”
“His stati have been wild lately.”
It’s funny, it’s catchy—but it’s also not correct.
Pop culture often plays fast and loose with grammar. That doesn’t mean you should. Stick with what’s accepted, especially in writing. Think of good grammar as style and substance.
Teachers, Writers, and Editors: What They Say
Ask any editor, English teacher, or professional writer, and they’ll tell you:
Use “statuses.”
Avoid “stati.”
Even tools like Grammarly, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs will flag stati as incorrect. Most style guides, including The Chicago Manual of Style and APA, recommend sticking with standard English plural forms unless otherwise stated.
Other Plural Puzzles Worth Knowing
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of other commonly confused words:
| Singular | Correct Plural |
| Phenomenon | Phenomena |
| Criterion | Criteria |
| Analysis | Analyses |
| Thesis | Theses |
| Axis | Axes |
Mastering these won’t just improve your grammar—it’ll boost your credibility and confidence as a communicator.
Final Thoughts: The Status of Your Grammar
Let’s wrap this up with some clarity:
- The correct plural of “status” is “statuses.”
- “Stati” is grammatically incorrect in both Latin and English.
- Use “statuses” in all professional, academic, and formal writing.
- Don’t be fooled by how a word looks or sounds—rely on trusted grammar rules and sources.
- Feel free to have fun with language, but know the rules before you break them.
