Faxs vs. Faxes – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling for the plural of “fax” or the third-person singular present tense of the verb “to fax” is faxes. The spelling “faxs” is a common misspelling and is grammatically incorrect in all contexts. Always use “faxes” to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.
Faxs or Faxes – Which is Correct?
When referring to multiple facsimile transmissions or the act of sending something via a fax machine in the third person singular, faxes is the universally accepted and correct spelling. The term “faxs” is a frequent error, typically arising from an incorrect application of pluralization rules for words ending in ‘x’ or a misunderstanding of verb conjugation.
The root cause of the confusion often lies in the general rule of adding ‘-s’ to form plurals. However, for nouns ending in ‘s’, ‘x’, ‘z’, ‘sh’, or ‘ch’, the correct pluralization involves adding ‘-es’. Similarly, for verbs ending in ‘x’, the third-person singular present tense also follows the ‘-es’ rule.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
To remember that “faxes” is correct, think of other words ending in ‘x’ like “box” or “tax.” You wouldn’t say “boxs” or “taxs”; you say “boxes” and “taxes.” Apply this same rule to “fax.” If a word ends in ‘x’, you almost always add ‘es’ for its plural form or third-person singular verb conjugation.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| faxes | Noun (plural), Verb (third-person singular) | Multiple facsimile transmissions; To send something via fax machine (third-person singular) | “The office receives many faxes each day.” / “She regularly faxes important documents.” |
| faxs | Misspelling | Incorrect plural/verb form | “Incorrect: I sent two faxs this morning.” |
How to Use Faxes
“Faxes” can function as both a plural noun and a third-person singular present tense verb. As a noun, it refers to multiple documents or images sent via a fax machine. As a verb, it describes the action of transmitting a document using a fax machine, performed by a single individual or entity in the present tense.
Example 1 (Noun): Please file all the incoming faxes in the appropriate departmental folders.
Example 2 (Verb): My assistant faxes the daily reports to headquarters every afternoon.
Example 3 (Noun): We’ve seen a decrease in the number of physical faxes since email became prevalent.
What are the different forms of Faxes?
The word “fax” can take several forms, illustrating its use as both a noun and a verb:
- Noun Forms:
- Singular: fax (e.g., “I sent one fax.”)
- Plural: faxes (e.g., “I sent multiple faxes.”)
- Verb Forms:
- Base Form: fax (e.g., “Please fax this document.”)
- Third-Person Singular Present: faxes (e.g., “He faxes every morning.”)
- Present Participle: faxing (e.g., “She is faxing the contract.”)
- Past Tense/Past Participle: faxed (e.g., “I faxed it yesterday.” / “The document was faxed.”)
Etymology of the word Faxes
The word “fax” itself is a clipping of “facsimile,” which comes from the Latin “fac simile,” meaning “make similar.” The process of transmitting exact copies over distances became widely known as “fax” in the mid-20th century. The plural form “faxes” naturally followed the established English pluralization rules for words ending in ‘x’.
Related Concepts
Understanding broader grammatical concepts helps solidify why “faxes” is correct and “faxs” is not.
- Pluralization Rules: English has specific rules for forming plurals, especially for nouns ending in s, x, z, sh, or ch, where adding ‘es’ (e.g., bus -> buses, box -> boxes) is standard.
- Verb Conjugation: For regular verbs in the third-person singular present tense, an ‘s’ or ‘es’ is added to the base form (e.g., run -> runs, wish -> wishes, fix -> fixes).
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The detective received a flurry of urgent faxes detailing the suspect’s movements.” (Fictional crime novel)
- “In the early 90s, many businesses relied heavily on faxes for inter-office communication.” (Historical business article)
- “She meticulously checks her inbox and the incoming faxes before starting her day.” (Contemporary office drama script)
- “The old machine still faxes documents, albeit slowly, to clients who prefer traditional methods.” (News report on technology)
- “Before email, countless critical messages were exchanged as faxes across continents.” (Documentary on communication history)
Faxes Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Facsimiles | Exact copies or reproductions, often transmitted electronically. |
| Telecopies | Copies transmitted over a distance, typically referring to fax transmissions. |
| Documents (plural) | Written, printed, or electronic materials that provide information or evidence. |
| Transmissions (plural) | The act or process of sending something, especially information or signals. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “fax” a verb?
Yes, “fax” can be used as a verb, meaning “to send a document by fax machine.” For example, “I will fax you the contract.”
Question 2: How do you pluralize words ending in ‘x’?
Generally, words ending in ‘x’ form their plurals by adding ‘es’ (e.g., box -> boxes, tax -> taxes, fax -> faxes). This rule also applies to the third-person singular present tense of verbs ending in ‘x’.
Question 3: Can “faxes” refer to the machine itself?
No, “faxes” refers to the documents sent or received, or the act of sending them. The machine itself is typically called a “fax machine” or simply a “fax.”
Conclusion
In summary, the correct spelling in all standard English contexts is faxes, whether you are referring to multiple documents or the act of sending one in the third person singular. The form “faxs” is a common misspelling and should be avoided. Remembering the pluralization rules for words ending in ‘x’ can help you consistently use “faxes” correctly. Pro Tip: Using correct grammar and spelling, even for seemingly small details like “faxes” vs. “faxs,” significantly enhances your professional credibility and ensures your message is understood clearly.