Is it okay to use "Euros" (plural form)?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
#1

Hi all English gurus,

I’m curious whether I can use “Euros”, instead of Euro. I’m a South Korean and Korean currency is “Won”. So, when I go to an exchange counter, I say “Would you (ex)change this into Won?” (not ‘Wons’). “Won” is not an English word- it’s a proper noun, I guess. I think that’s why it is used only singular. I’ve never seen ‘Wons’.

Of course, “pound” “U.S. dollar”, they are all the currencies of the United Kingdom and the United States, respectavely. They are English words. I think that’s why they can be used plural.

However, when it comes to Euro, I found ‘euros’ in many webpages. It’s confusing. Do I have to say “Can I change this into Euros” instead of “Can I change this into Euro”? Are both of them right or not?

At a money exchange counter: which is right?

a. Can I change this into 1) Euro 2) Euros 3) euros?
b. Can I change this into 1) U.S. Dollars 2) U.S. Dollar 3) U.S. dollars ?
c. Can I change this into 1) Pound 2) Pounds 3) pounds?

My answers go a-1), b-3), c-3).
Am I right?

Thank you in advance,
sweetpumpkin

#2

Hi Sweetpumpkin

I would choose option (3) for each of your sentences.
I would expect native speakers of English to say “Can I change this into euros?”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic … g_the_euro
merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euro%5B2%5D
dictionary.reference.com/search?q=euro&r=66
.

#3

At the “money exchange counter”, what would be the difference in saying 2) and 3) , here?

a. Can I change this into 1) Euro 2) Euros 3) euros?

Between 1) and 3) here?

b. Can I change this into 1) U.S. Dollars 2) U.S. Dollar 3) U.S. dollars

etc.

#4

Hi,

In Ireland people say ‘euro’ but write ‘Euros’. It’s different with ‘pounds’ and ‘dollars’ though, here people always use the plural in case the amount is ‘2’ or bigger. Compare the prices for a pint of beer:

That’s 5 Euros, please.
That’s 4 dollars, please.
That’s 3 pounds, please.

#5

:roll:

If it troubles you, M., simply assume that the person at the counter has a very sore throat, and has had to pass a handwritten note to the cashier.

MrP

#6

Hi, Molly.
Of course, there are no differences between the 1)s and the 3)s in spoken English. What I meant was when it comes to writing, as MrP said.

#7

Technically, I think “2 Euro” is okay as one dictionary says: euro or Euro pl. euro or Euro or euros or Euros"(dictionary.reference.com/search?q=euro&r=66, one of Amy’s sources) even though native speakers doesn’t speak that way. Anyway, thank you all for your attention!!!

#8

It happens often. :lol:

So you imagine yourself going to the currency exchange and passing notes to get what you need, do you? :wink: If so, why wouldn’t you use the euro symbol (€).?

#9

Haha, it would be an easier way that I missed. :smiley:

#10

:wink: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency_sign