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Dictionary-enhanced plural guide

What is the Plural of “Liability”?

Learn the singular and plural noun forms, the rule behind the plural, and examples that show the form in context.

SingularliabilityPluralliabilities
Rule: regularIPA: /ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/

Singular and Plural Form of Liability

Liability is the singular noun form. Liabilities is the plural form.

Dictionary meaning: Something you owe money for. A debt or obligation to pay someone.

Why is the Plural of Liability “liabilities”?

The Regular Plural Rule for Liability

When a word ends in consonant + y, change the y to -ies. Example: liability → liabilities

Plural pattern: regular.

How to Remember the Plural of Liability

Just add -s to “liability” to make “liabilities”. Most English nouns follow this pattern.

A common slip-up: Learners often stress the first or last syllable. Always stress BIL: ly-uh-BIL-uh-tee..

Singular vs Plural Examples with Liability

See liability and liabilities used in real sentences side by side.

  • The company's liabilities include bank loans and accounts payable. C1
  • Current liabilities are due within one year. C1
  • Managing liabilities is essential for maintaining financial stability. C1

Common Plural Mistakes with Liability

Wrong: The liability are increasing each quarter.

Correct: The liability is increasing each quarter.

Liability (singular) takes 'is'; use 'liabilities' (plural) for 'are'.

Wrong: Current liabilities must be paying within 12 months.

Correct: Current liabilities must be paid within 12 months.

Use passive 'be paid', not 'be paying'.

Wrong: We need reducing our total liabilities significantly.

Correct: We need to reduce our total liabilities significantly.

After 'need', use 'to + verb', not 'verb-ing'.

How to Pronounce Liability and Liabilities

ly-uh-BIL-uh-tee. Stress the second syllable BIL. It's five syllables: ly-uh-BIL-uh-tee. The stress pattern is: weak-weak-STRONG-weak-weak.

Other Words With the Same Plural Pattern as Liability

These nouns follow the same regular rule. Click any word to see its plural page.

Origin and Etymology of Liability

From 'liable' (legally responsible) + '-ity' (state or condition). 'Liable' comes from Latin 'ligare' (to bind). Applied to accounting to mean 'things that bind you to pay'.

Cultural note: Balance sheets show liabilities as the opposite of assets. Understanding liabilities is crucial for business solvency analysis. Personal and corporate debt management revolves around managing liabilities effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Plural of Liability

What is the plural of “liability”?

The plural of “liability” is “liabilities”.

Is “liabilities” regular or irregular?

This page classifies it as regular based on the available plural data.

Explore “Liability” in Other Tools