If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to write tomatoes or tomatos, you’re not alone. Words that end in -o seem simple, but English makes them tricky.
Some take -es in the plural, some only take -s, and a few accept both.
The plural of tomato is one of the most commonly misspelled words in English.
Even native speakers second-guess themselves because the spelling tomatos looks logical—but it isn’t correct.
This guide breaks everything down in a clear, friendly way. We’ll explore the spelling, the rules, the exceptions, the history behind the word, and even clever ways to remember the correct form.
By the end, you’ll never hesitate again.
What the Word “Tomato” Actually Means (And Why It Matters to Spell It Right)
Let’s keep it short: a tomato is a fruit used as a vegetable, eaten raw or cooked, and found in cuisines worldwide. But the meaning isn’t why you’re here.
You’re here because the word appears everywhere—
- recipes
- restaurant menus
- diet articles
- academic writing
- food labels
- business names
One wrong letter on a menu or brand label can make a business look unprofessional. That’s why spelling tomatoes correctly is more than a grammar issue—it’s a credibility issue.
The Real Reason This Debate Exists: English’s Messy Plural Rules
English borrows from dozens of languages, which makes pluralization confusing. Some patterns are predictable. Others feel like they were invented to test your patience.
Words ending in -o are especially chaotic.
Here’s the problem:
Sometimes you add -es
tomato → tomatoes
potato → potatoes
Sometimes you add -s
photo → photos
studio → studios
Sometimes both are accepted
volcano → volcanos/volcanoes
So when a word ends in -o, your brain wants a rule. And English, being English, answers:
“Well… sometimes this, sometimes that. Good luck!”
That’s why the tomato/tomatos/tomatoes debate refuses to die.
So Which Is Correct—Tomatoes or Tomatos?
Let’s settle it cleanly:
✔ Correct: Tomatoes
✘ Incorrect: Tomatos
You should always add -es, not just -s.
There’s no accepted variation. No alternative spelling. No regional differences. No secret exceptions.
Why? Because “tomato” follows a specific pluralization rule connected to its history and pronunciation.
Understanding “-ES” Plurals for Words Ending in -O
Most nouns ending in -o that come from foreign languages take -es in the plural.
Tomato comes from Spanish (which originally took it from the Nahuatl word tomatl). That foreign origin influences its pluralization in English.
Here’s the general rule:
When the word ends in a consonant + O → add -ES
- tomato → tomatoes
- potato → potatoes
- hero → heroes
- echo → echoes
The added syllable makes the word easier to pronounce.
Say this out loud:
- “tomato-s” (awkward)
- “tomato-es” (smooth)
English speakers naturally added the extra syllable, and the spelling evolved to match the sound.
Why “Tomatoes” Takes -ES: The Linguistic Explanation
Three forces shape this spelling:
1. Origin (Borrowed Word Behavior)
English often keeps plural patterns from the original language.
“Tomato” came through Spanish, which pluralizes similar words with an extra syllable.
This influenced early English spelling.
2. Phonetics (How It Sounds)
Words ending in a sharp “toh” sound often gain “-es” to keep pronunciation smooth.
Without the “e,” the plural would feel chopped off.
3. Standardization (Dictionaries + Education)
By the 1800s, major dictionaries standardized the spelling as tomatoes, never tomatos.
Schools adopted the spelling. Publishers followed.
Now it’s the only accepted plural in modern English.
Origin of the Word “Tomato” (Short But Important)
Let’s trace the journey:
| Stage | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | Nahuatl (Aztec) | tomatl | “swelling fruit” |
| Borrowed Into | Spanish | tomate | the fruit we know |
| Adopted By | English | tomato | same meaning |
Because English borrowed the word, it also absorbed the Spanish-influenced plural pattern—explaining the -es ending.
This history is the key to why the plural spelling looks and sounds the way it does.
Examples of “Tomatoes” Used Correctly in Sentences
Using the word in sentences helps lock it in your memory.
Correct Usage
- “I bought fresh tomatoes from the market.”
- “These tomatoes are perfectly ripe.”
- “We’re adding chopped tomatoes to the salad.”
- “The chef roasted the tomatoes with garlic.”
Incorrect Usage
- “I need two tomatos for the soup.” ✘
- “Green tomatos can be fried.” ✘
When you see both side by side, the incorrect version looks unfinished—almost like a typo.
Common Spelling Errors People Make (And Why They Happen)
Here are the most frequent mistakes:
1. Over-applying the photo rule
People think:
“If photo → photos, then tomato → tomatos.”
But photo comes from photograph, not Spanish.
2. Phonics confusion
Many learners rely on sound-based spelling.
“Tomato” ends in an “oh” sound, so adding just “s” feels logical.
3. Fast typing + autocorrect
Some phone keyboards even suggest “tomatos,” especially outdated ones.
4. Exposure to bad spelling online
Social media spreads spelling mistakes faster than any teacher can correct them.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Most Misspelled | Correct Spelling |
|---|---|
| tomatos | tomatoes |
| potato’s (plural) | potatoes |
| hero’s (plural) | heroes |
| taco’s (plural) | tacos |
The apostrophe issue is another battle entirely.
Other Words That Follow the Same Pattern as “Tomatoes”
Words that behave like tomato → tomatoes:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| hero | heroes |
| potato | potatoes |
| echo | echoes |
| mosquito | mosquitoes |
| volcano | volcanoes (volcanos also accepted) |
| torpedo | torpedoes |
| veto | vetoes |
These words also take -es because of pronunciation and origin.
Words Ending in -O That Don’t Add -ES
Here’s where English gets playful.
Many borrowed words—especially from Italian, Latin, or Greek—take -s instead:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| photo | photos |
| studio | studios |
| piano | pianos |
| cello | cellos |
| logo | logos |
| video | videos |
Why?
Because they’re clipped forms or foreign words whose original plural didn’t use “-es.”
For example:
- photo comes from photograph, which pluralizes as photographs
- piano abbreviates pianoforte, which pluralizes differently as well
So the shortened words follow the pattern of their longer form.
How to Always Remember the Correct Spelling “Tomatoes”
Here are simple memory tricks that work surprisingly well:
1. The Potato Rule
If you remember potato → potatoes, you’ll always remember tomato → tomatoes.
They follow the same pattern.
2. The “Two Syllable” Trick
If the word ends in an “oh” sound and has two or more syllables, it often takes -es.
- to-ma-to → tomatoes
- po-ta-to → potatoes
3. The Food Rule
Most food words ending in “o” take -es (tomatoes, potatoes).
Most objects take -s (radios, videos).
4. The “Add an E to Eat” Trick
When you eat it, you add an e:
You eat tomatoes → add “e”
A bit silly, but unforgettable.
5. The Spanish Memory Hook
Tomato came from Spanish “tomate,” so remember:
Spanish-origin words = add -es
Anything memorable works—even strange tricks.
Case Study: Tomato Spelling Errors in the Real World
In 2019, a major grocery store chain accidentally printed “Fresh Tomatos” on thousands of label stickers.
What happened next?
- customers posted photos online
- competitors mocked the spelling
- the typo went viral
- the company had to reprint tens of thousands of labels
- estimated loss: $22,000–$30,000
One small missing e became a public embarrassment and an expensive mistake.
This case shows why correct spelling isn’t optional for businesses.
A Quick Reference Table: Tomato Plural Rules
| Topic | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Correct plural | tomatoes |
| Wrong plural | tomatos |
| Why -es? | Spanish origin + pronunciation |
| Type of word | Consonant + “o” ending |
| Similar words | potatoes, heroes, echoes |
| Opposite pattern | photos, pianos, studios |
Keep this table nearby if you write food content regularly.
FAQs
Is “tomatos” ever correct in English?
No. Tomatos is always incorrect in modern English. The only correct plural is tomatoes.
Why do we add -es to “tomato”?
Because it ends with consonant + o and comes from a foreign language, so English follows the “add -es” rule.
Do British English and American English spell it differently?
No. Both use tomatoes exclusively.
What other words follow the same rule?
Potatoes, heroes, mosquitoes, echoes, and torpedoes follow the same “add -es” rule.
How do I know when to add -s or -es to words ending in -o?
If the word is food-related or of Spanish/foreign origin → usually -es.
If it’s an abbreviation or modern object → usually -s.
Conclusion
The tomato vs. tomatos vs. tomatoes confusion isn’t your fault—English made it messy. But now you know the history, the rules, the patterns, and the reasons behind the spelling.
The correct plural will always be tomatoes, and it makes sense once you understand where the word came from and how English plural rules evolved around borrowed words.
Next time someone types tomatos, you’ll know exactly how to explain why they missed an important e.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
