Plural of Journey: Is It “Journeys” or “Journies”?

When it comes to the plural of “journey”, many English learners—and even native speakers—pause at a crossroads: is it “journeys” or **“journies”? This question stems from a broader confusion around English pluralization rules, especially for words ending in -y. It’s an easy mistake to make, but one that’s just as easy to correct with the right explanation.

In this guide, we’ll clarify the correct spelling, break down the grammar rule that applies, and provide real-life usage examples. Whether you’re polishing a travel blog, writing fiction, or prepping for an English exam, knowing the proper plural form of journey will improve both your fluency and your confidence. Let’s explore why “journeys” is the right choice—and why “journies” isn’t.

Quick Answer: What’s the Plural of “Journey”?

The correct plural of journey is journeys.

Journies is not a word.
Journeys is correct.

The word “journey” ends in a vowel + y (“e” + “y”). In English, when a word ends in a vowel + y, we simply add “s” to make it plural. That gives us:

Journey → Journeys

Example:

• Correct: We’ve taken many journeys together.
  
• Incorrect: We’ve taken many journies together.
  

Simple, right? But why do so many people make the mistake?

Why the Confusion Between “Journeys” and “Journies”?

The confusion comes from the well-known rule in English:

If a word ends in consonant + y, change the y to i and add -es.

For example:

• City → Cities
  
• Baby → Babies
  
• Country → Countries

But when the word ends in vowel + y, you just add -s:

• Toy → Toys
  
• Key → Keys
  
• Journey → Journeys

The mistake with “journies” happens because people overgeneralize the first rule, applying it even when a vowel comes before the “y”.

Grammar Rule Breakdown: When Do You Change -y to -ies?

To understand this better, here’s a simple table that breaks it down:

Word Ending	Rule Applied	Plural Form
Consonant + Y	Change “y” to “i” and add “es”	Baby → Babies
Vowel + Y	Just add “s”	Journey → Journeys
Exceptions (Rare)	Some irregulars or compound words	Varies

Vowel + Y Examples:

• Toy → Toys
  
• Play → Plays
  
• Boy → Boys
  
• Journey → Journeys

Consonant + Y Examples:

• Fly → Flies
  
• Puppy → Puppies
  
• Story → Stories

As you can see, “journey” follows the vowel + y rule, making journeys the grammatically correct form.

What Does the Word “Journey” Actually Mean?

The word journey refers to:

“The act of traveling from one place to another, typically taking a long time or involving effort.”

But it goes deeper than that. Let’s break it down:

Literal Meanings:

• A trip or voyage across land, sea, or air.
  
• Physical movement from one destination to another.

Figurative or Metaphorical Meanings:

• Emotional growth (“a personal journey of healing”)
  
• Spiritual development (“her spiritual journey began after a tragedy”)
  
• Life events or transitions (“the journey from student to professional”).

Dictionary Definition:

Journey (noun): traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; a trip.

Real-World Usage Examples of “Journeys”

Let’s explore how the plural of journey—journeys—shows up in different contexts.

Travel & Tourism

“Over the past decade, we’ve taken countless journeys across Asia and Europe.”

• Tour companies use the term frequently to describe adventure packages.
  
• Travel bloggers often write about their “top 10 unforgettable journeys.”
  

Metaphorical & Emotional

“Her journeys through grief and resilience inspired millions.”

• Common in self-help books, motivational talks, and memoirs.
  
• Often paired with emotional language or transformation.

Spiritual or Philosophical

“In many traditions, spiritual growth is seen as a series of inward journeys.”

• Used in religious texts, meditations, and teachings.
  
• Conveys progress, enlightenment, or awakening.

Historical or Fictional Context

“Frodo’s and Sam’s journeys to Mordor symbolize more than a physical trek—they represent courage and loyalty.”

• Common in literature and mythology.
  
• Found in books, films, and video games.

Words That Follow the Same Pluralization Rule

Here are some words that follow the same rule as “journeys”—ending in vowel + y, so they take a simple “s” at the end:

Singular	Plural
Journey	Journeys
Toy	Toys
Boy	Boys
Key	Keys
Play	Plays
Alley	Alleys
Day	Days
Donkey	Donkeys

These follow the same vowel + y → +s rule. No change to “i”, no extra “e”, and certainly no “ies”.

Common Misspellings and Grammar Mistakes

You’ll often find “journies” in forum posts, essays, and even published blog content—but make no mistake, it’s incorrect.

Why It Happens:

• Overapplication of the “change y to ies” rule.
  
• People confuse it with words like cities or babies.

Tip:

If you’re unsure, check the letter before the “y.”

• If it’s a vowel, just add -s.
  
• If it’s a consonant, change the y to i and add -es.

Helpful Mnemonic:
“If the Y’s got a vowel pal, let it keep its tail.” (add s)
“If the Y’s with a consonant, give it a twist.” (change to ies)

Synonyms for “Journey” and Their Plurals

Looking for other ways to say journeys? Here’s a list of synonyms along with their plural forms and usage.

Singular	Plural	Usage Example
Trip	Trips	“We took several trips to the countryside.”
Voyage	Voyages	“Their voyages across the Atlantic were perilous.”
Expedition	Expeditions	“Scientific expeditions to Antarctica.”
Trek	Treks	“Mountain treks are both challenging and scenic.”
Excursion	Excursions	“Weekend excursions to nearby lakes.”
Odyssey	Odysseys	“Life is full of unpredictable odysseys.”
Quest	Quests	“The hero embarked on several quests.”

These alternatives can make your writing more vibrant, especially when the word “journeys” feels repetitive.

Etymology of the Word “Journey”

Understanding a word’s etymology can shed light on its modern form.

• Origin: Old French jornee
  
  • Meaning: “A day’s travel, a day’s work”
    
• Latin Root: diurnata — from diurnus (“daily”)
  
• Middle English: journei evolved to journey

Originally, a journey referred to what one could accomplish in a day. Over centuries, the term expanded to cover longer, meaningful travels—both literal and figurative.

How to Use “Journeys” in a Sentence (With Context)

Let’s look at a few well-constructed sentences using the plural of journey to give you practical, real-life context.

Formal:

“The conference highlighted the journeys of global entrepreneurs navigating regulatory landscapes.”

Conversational:

“We’ve been on some wild journeys together, haven’t we?”

Narrative:

“Through deserts, cities, and oceans, their journeys brought them closer than ever.”

Academic:

“Literary texts often depict characters’ psychological journeys as transformative arcs.”

Poetic:

“She collects journeys like memories pressed between book pages.”

Conclusion: Always Choose “Journeys,” Not “Journies”

When it comes to the correct plural of journey, the answer is simple: it’s journeys. While “journies” might seem like it follows typical English spelling patterns, it doesn’t. Because “journey” ends in a vowel + y, you simply add an “s”—no spelling changes required.

Understanding this rule not only helps with “journey” but also with other similar words like key, boy, and valley. Whether you’re writing about literal travels or metaphorical growth, using the correct plural ensures clarity and professionalism in your writing. Keep this grammar tip in your back pocket, and you’ll never take a wrong turn again.

FAQs:

1. Is it journies or journeys?

The correct spelling is journeys. “Journies” is a common misspelling that doesn’t follow standard English grammar rules for pluralizing words ending in a vowel + y. Always use journeys.

2. What is the correct plural form of journey?

The proper plural form of journey is journeys. Since “journey” ends with a vowel (e) before the “y”, you simply add an “s” without changing the spelling.

3. What does “journies” mean?

“Journies” has no meaning in standard English. It’s a misspelling of “journeys” and isn’t recognized in any dictionary. Stick with “journeys” to be grammatically correct.

4. Why isn’t it journies?

It’s not journies because the rule to change “y” to “ies” only applies when the word ends in a consonant + y. “Journey” ends in a vowel + y, so you simply add “s” → journeys.

5. Which is a correct plural?

The correct plural is journeys. It follows the standard rule for nouns ending in a vowel followed by “y”. “Journies” is always incorrect in modern English.