Alumnus vs Alumni
The difference between alumnus and alumni is very basic as the latter is the plural form of the former. If it is confusing to some, the reason is the two words being Latin. Latin words construct their different forms using other rules as used in the English language. So, if you are having problem with alumnus and alumni, simply remember this. The word alumnus is a Latin masculine noun. It refers to a male graduate or somebody that has passed out and is presently an old male student. Its plural is of course alumni. However, in the present context the usage of the word alumni has undergone some changes. All these will be explained in this article.
What does Alumnus mean?
According to the Oxford English dictionary, the word alumnus means ‘a male former pupil or student of a particular school, college, or university.’ Remember, if you are male and you want to say that you are a past pupil of your university you should say ‘I am an alumnus.’ Use this accordingly; otherwise you might bring a disgrace to your former education institute.
It is interesting to note that alumna is the word that refers to a female graduate or somebody that has passed out and is presently a former female student. Its plural form is alumnae. So if you are a female past pupil or a female graduate of an educational institution, you should say ‘I am alumna.’ Remember, using this appropriately is also important as much as using alumnus and alumni appropriately.
What does Alumni mean?
Alumni is the plural of alumnus. One of the main differences between the usages of the two words alumnus and alumni is that although the word ‘alumni’ is used to convey the plural of the word ‘alumnus’, it is often used presently in the sense of plurality irrespective of sex. Alumni is thus to be understood presently as groups of students of both sexes that have passed out and are presently former students. It can refer to groups of male and female graduates.
Look at the usage of alumni in the sentence, ‘the alumni of Pennsylvania University assembled in the convocation hall.’ Here the word alumni refers to both male and female graduates that are to receive their degrees in the convocation. Hence, it is true that the word is no longer used to convey the sense of ‘male graduates’ alone.
It is quite interesting to note that in some parts of the world, just to avoid the confusion that may arise out of sexism, two separate usages are made as alumni and alumnae. Observe the sentence, ‘The Governor of the State addressed the alumni and the alumnae of the university during convocation.’ The two words ‘alumni’ and ‘alumnae’ clearly suggest two different meanings as ‘male graduates’ and ‘female graduates’. On the other hand, the word ‘graduates’ is used to convey the sense of both ‘alumni’ and ‘alumnae’. The word graduates does not have gender difference. Therefore, it can be used to either sex and to refer to both sexes without a problem.
What is the difference between Alumnus and Alumni?
• The word alumnus is a Latin masculine noun. It refers to a male graduate or somebody that has passed out and is presently an old male student. Its plural is of course alumni.
• However, alumni is used presently in the sense of plurality irrespective of sex.
• In some parts of the world, just to avoid the confusion that may arise out of sexism, two separate usages are made as alumna and alumnae.
• On the other hand, the word ‘graduates’ is used to convey the sense of both ‘alumni’ and ‘alumnae’.
• Graduate does not have a gender division. Therefore, it can be used to either gender or both genders without a problem.
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