What’s the Plural of Foreman? Is it Foremen or Foremans?

Language learners and even native speakers often stumble over certain plural forms in English. One such word is foreman. You’ve likely seen both foremen and foremans floating around in writing or speech, which makes the question unavoidable: what’s the correct plural of foreman?

The quick answer is simple: the plural of foreman is foremen, not foremans.

But to truly understand why this is the case—and how to avoid mistakes—let’s break it down step by step.

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What Does the Word “Foreman” Mean?

The word foreman is deeply rooted in English, carrying a clear meaning across industries.

• A foreman is someone in charge of a group of workers.
  
• They act as a supervisor, leader, or manager at a lower or middle level.
  
• You’ll encounter foremen most often in construction, factories, workshops, or even in jury rooms (where a jury foreman leads discussions).
  

Origin of the Word

The term comes from Middle English, combining fore (meaning “before” or “in front of”) and man. The literal meaning is the man in front, or the one who leads others.

Example Sentences with “Foreman”

• “The foreman ensured everyone wore safety helmets on the site.”
  
• “Each foreman submitted a daily progress report.”
  

As you can see, the singular form foreman refers to a single leader, while multiple leaders require the plural form. But is that foremen or foremans? Let’s find out.

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The Correct Plural of Foreman

The correct plural of foreman is foremen.

This follows the same pattern as:

• man → men
  
• woman → women
  
• policeman → policemen
  
• chairman → chairmen
  

Why Foremen Is Correct

The irregularity comes from the word “man” inside foreman. In English, when man is part of a compound word, it usually changes to men in the plural form.

Examples:

• Fireman → Firemen
  
• Salesman → Salesmen
  
• Spokesman → Spokesmen
  

Example Sentences with “Foremen”

• “The site’s foremen gathered for a safety briefing.”
  
• “Three experienced foremen supervised the workers during the night shift.”
  

So, if you’re writing or speaking, always use foremen—not foremans.

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Why “Foremans” Is Incorrect

At first glance, adding an “s” to form foremans seems logical. After all, that’s the standard rule in English plurals. However, English is full of irregular nouns that don’t follow this pattern.

Why Not Foremans?

• Foreman contains ‘man.’ Whenever “man” is part of a compound noun, the plural usually switches to “men.”
  
• Rule of irregular plurals: This is the same reason we say men instead of mans.
  

Real-Life Confusions

It’s common to see “foremans” in casual writing, online forums, or learner mistakes. But in professional or academic English, foremans is never considered correct.

Think of it this way:

• One foreman = ✔️ correct
  
• Two foremen = ✔️ correct
  
• Two foremans = ❌ incorrect
  

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Other Words Similar to Foreman

To fully grasp the plural of foreman, it helps to compare it with similar words. Many English nouns ending in -man follow the same irregular plural rule.

Here’s a quick look:

Singular	Plural	Example Sentence
Man	Men	“The men worked together.”
Chairman	Chairmen	“The chairmen signed the agreement.”
Salesman	Salesmen	“Three salesmen visited the store.”
Policeman	Policemen	“Several policemen controlled the crowd.”
Spokesman	Spokesmen	“The spokesmen addressed the press.”
Foreman	Foremen	“The foremen organized the shifts.”

This table shows the consistency: when you see -man in a word, expect -men in the plural.

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How to Remember the Plural of Foreman Easily

Sometimes grammar rules stick better with tricks and patterns. Here are a few ways to make “foremen” second nature.

Mnemonics and Memory Aids

• Think of the word “men” inside “foremen.” Multiple men = multiple leaders.
  
• Visualize: one man at the front → foreman; several men at the front → foremen.
  

Practice Sentences

• “A foreman leads the team.”
  
• “Several foremen divide responsibilities.”
  

By repeating such examples, your brain locks in the correct plural.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Because the plural of foreman can be confusing, let’s point out the traps learners often fall into.

Mistake 1: Using “Foremans”

This is the most frequent mistake. Remember, there is no such word as foremans.

Mistake 2: Confusing with “Four Men”

Sometimes, learners misread foremen as four men. While they look similar, their meanings differ:

• Foremen = multiple supervisors
  
• Four men = simply the number of men
  

Mistake 3: Overusing Gender-Neutral Substitutes

Some workplaces avoid “foreman” altogether and use terms like supervisor or manager. While this is correct, it doesn’t mean “foremen” is wrong. Both forms are still valid.

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Are Gender-Neutral Alternatives Used Instead of Foreman?

Yes, and this is an important modern trend. Many organizations prefer gender-neutral titles to make workplaces more inclusive.

Common Alternatives to Foreman

• Supervisor
  
• Team leader
  
• Manager
  
• Shift leader
  

Why This Matters

The word foreman contains man, which some people view as outdated in inclusive language. But dictionaries and formal English still recognize “foreman” and “foremen” as correct.

Case Study: Construction Industry

In construction companies across the US, job postings sometimes use site supervisor instead of foreman. However, in contracts and union agreements, foreman/foremen remains the legal terminology.

So while inclusivity influences word choice, the plural foremen is still standard English.

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Quick Reference Table

Here’s a simple cheat sheet you can save or screenshot:

Singular	Plural	Correct Usage Example
Foreman	Foremen	“The foremen planned the project timeline.”

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FAQs About the Plural of Foreman

Is “foremans” ever correct in English?

No. “Foremans” is always incorrect. The only correct plural form is foremen.

Can “foreman” be used for women?

Yes. A woman can be called a “foreman.” Some prefer gender-neutral terms like supervisor, but grammatically, foreman is not restricted to men.

Is “foremen” old-fashioned?

Not at all. While alternatives exist, “foremen” is still widely used in business, law, and industry.

Do dictionaries recognize both forms?

Every major dictionary (Oxford, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge) lists foremen as the plural. “Foremans” never appears as correct.

What’s a simpler alternative word?

If you want to avoid confusion, use supervisor or manager, which are straightforward and don’t have irregular plurals.

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Conclusion

The debate over foremen vs foremans is common, but the answer is clear: the plural of foreman is foremen.

Whenever you see a workplace with multiple supervisors, write it as foremen. If you want an alternative, terms like supervisor or team leader work just as well—but remember, foremans is never correct.

So the next time you’re unsure, repeat this:

• One foreman.
  
• Two foremen.
  

Simple, direct, and always right.