Understanding the Basics:
* Alumni is the plural form of "alumnus" (male) and "alumna" (female). It refers to former students of a school, college, or university.
* Singular:
* Alumnus (male)
* Alumna (female)
* Plural:
* Alumni (for mixed genders or when the gender is unknown)
Examples:
* Correct: "The alumni of Harvard University are highly successful."
* Correct: "She is an alumna of the University of California, Berkeley."
* Correct: "He is an alumnus of the local high school."
* Incorrect: "The alumna of the school were excited to return for their reunion." (Should be "alumni")
Common Mistakes:
* Using "alumnus" or "alumna" as a plural. "Alumni" is the plural for both genders.
* Using "alum" as a plural. While "alum" is a slang term, it's not considered formal or grammatically correct.
Tips for Using "Alumni":
* Be mindful of gender. If you know the gender of the former students, use "alumnus" or "alumna." Otherwise, use "alumni."
* Use "alumni" for a group of former students, even if they are all the same gender.
* Remember that "alumni" is a noun, not an adjective. You would say "The alumni association" rather than "the alumni association."
Let me know if you have any more questions about using "alumni" correctly!