“Humans” or “Humen”? Which One Is Correct?

When writing or speaking, it’s easy to get confused between humans or humen. While these words might seem similar, only one of them is correct, and understanding the difference is essential for effective communication. In this article, we will dive deep into the grammar, etymology, and proper usage of humans or humen, helping you identify the right term and avoid common mistakes.

Humans is the plural form of human, and humen is an incorrect, misspelled version. Let’s explore the differences, understand why this happens, and see how to use humans or humen properly in your writing.

Understanding the Difference: Humans or Humen?

The first thing to note is that humans are the correct plural form of the word “human.” While “humen” might appear occasionally in informal conversations or written text, it is not a valid word in modern English. So, the question humans or humen boils down to this: humans is the right answer. But why do people sometimes say “humen”? Let’s take a closer look.

The Root of the Confusion: Etymology of the Word ‘Human’

The word “human” traces its origins back to the Latin word humanus, which means “of or belonging to man.” Over the centuries, the word evolved through Old French and Middle English, ultimately taking the form we use today. Interestingly, the word “human” does not follow the typical pattern of regular pluralization in English, which leads to confusion around its plural form.

In many cases, English words that end in -an take the plural -s (e.g., American becomes Americans). However, when it comes to the word “human,” some individuals mistakenly use “humen” as if it followed irregular plural rules. This stems from confusion or simple mishearing, but in modern English, the correct plural form is humans.

Definitions and Usage: Humans or Humen?

Before we dive into usage and examples, let’s first define both terms. Understanding their grammatical roles will help clarify which one is correct.

Humans: The Correct Plural Form of Human

The word human refers to an individual of the species Homo sapiens. When talking about more than one human, the correct plural form is humans.

• Humans: Refers to multiple members of the species Homo sapiens.

Example:

• “All humans deserve respect.”
• “Two humans were talking about climate change.”

Humen: An Incorrect Form

On the other hand, humen is not a valid word in the English language. It is a misspelling of the plural humans. People sometimes mistakenly use humen due to confusion or mishearing other words with irregular plurals (like men from man), but humen has no place in formal English grammar.

Synonyms of Humans and Humen

Synonyms of Humans

Here are some common synonyms of humans:

• Human beings
• People
• Mankind
• Humankind
• Homo sapiens
• Individuals
• Persons
• Folk
• Citizens
• The public

Synonyms of Humen

Since humen is not a correct word, there aren’t direct synonyms for it. If you encounter humen in written text or speech, it’s important to replace it with the correct form: humans.

Comparison Table: Humans vs Humen

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of humans and humen to better illustrate the differences between them:

Aspect	Humans	Humen
Definition	Plural form of “human,” referring to more than one person of the species Homo sapiens.	Not a valid word in the English language.
Grammatical Role	Noun (plural form of human).	Incorrect, misspelled form.
Correct Usage	Used when referring to multiple people.	Not used in proper English.
Example Sentence	“All humans have the capacity for compassion.”	Incorrect usage, should be replaced with “humans”.

As shown in the table, humans is the grammatically correct term to use, while humen should be avoided.

Why Is The Plural of Human Not “Humen”?

You might be wondering, why is the plural of human not humen? To understand this, let’s explore a bit about pluralization in English.

Pluralization: The Process of Forming Plurals

In English, the process of pluralization typically involves adding an -s or -es to a noun. The word human follows this regular rule and forms its plural by adding -s, resulting in humans.

Although some words ending in -an (like man) change their form in the plural (e.g., man becomes men), human does not follow this irregular pluralization pattern. Instead, human sticks to the regular pluralization rule and becomes humans.

Why “Humen” is Incorrect

The confusion with humen likely arises because of the irregular plural of man to men. However, the word human is an exception to this pattern. So, humen is a misspelling and should never be used in place of humans.

Humans or Human Beings: Which Should You Use?

The term human beings is often used interchangeably with humans, but there’s a subtle difference in context and usage. Let’s explore both.

Humans: A Broader Term

Humans is a more straightforward, scientific, and collective term for members of the species Homo sapiens. It refers to people as a whole.

• Example: “All humans have unique abilities.”

Human Beings: A More Formal or Philosophical Term

While humans is commonly used in everyday speech, human beings often appears in more formal, philosophical, or legal contexts. It emphasizes the individual or the rights of individuals.

• Example: “The dignity of all human beings must be protected under the law.”

Both terms are often interchangeable, but human beings can sound more formal, whereas humans is casual and broad.

Everyday Usage Examples: Humans or Humen

Let’s solidify your understanding of humans or humen with some everyday usage examples. Here’s how humans fits naturally in sentences:

Correct Usage of Humans

• “All humans are capable of learning.”
• “There are over 7 billion humans on Earth.”
• “It’s important for humans to adapt to their environment.”

Incorrect Usage (Humen)

• “Humen are not different from other animals in terms of intelligence.” (Incorrect; should be “Humans”)
• “I have seen many humen in the park today.” (Incorrect; should be “humans”)

As you can see, humans is the term to use, and humen should be avoided in every case.

Is “Humen” a Word?

The short answer is: No, “humen” is not a recognized word in modern English. While it might crop up in casual speech or misspelling, it does not hold any validity in the dictionary or any formal use. If you encounter “humen,” it is simply an error in language usage, likely stemming from confusion with the plural forms of similar words (like “men” from “man”).

Humans or Human Beings?

While “humans” is the more straightforward term to use, human beings is another common phrase. But what’s the difference?

• Humans: This refers to the species in general. It’s a more collective and scientific term. Example: “All humans deserve respect.”
• Human beings: This term emphasizes the individual aspects of humanity, often used in philosophical or legal contexts. Example: “Every human being has the right to freedom.”

In most cases, humans and human beings are interchangeable, but human beings can carry a more formal or nuanced tone.

Two Humans or Human?

When talking about two humans versus two human, remember that “human” is a noun and should be pluralized when referring to more than one person. So, the correct phrase is two humans.

Incorrect: “Two human walked into the room.” Correct: “Two humans walked into the room.”

When to Use “Humans” vs “Human”

The decision to use humans or human depends on the context, particularly whether you are referring to one person or multiple people.

Using “Human” (Singular)

• Human is the singular form, used when talking about one individual person.
  • Example: “I am a human with emotions.”
  • “She is the only human in the room.”

Using “Humans” (Plural)

• Humans is the plural form, used when referring to more than one person.
  • Example: “There are many humans living on Earth.”
  • “All humans have the ability to think critically.”

20 points about using “Humans” or “Humen”

• “Humans” is the correct plural form of human.
• “Humen” is an incorrect, misspelled version of humans.
• “Humans” refers to multiple individuals from the species Homo sapiens.
• “Humen” has no place in modern English grammar.
• The human plural form is consistently humans, following regular pluralization rules.
• The term humans is widely accepted in both formal and informal settings.
• “Humans or humen” is a common source of confusion, but humans is always the proper choice.
• People mistakenly use “humen” due to confusion with irregular plurals like man to men.
• In everyday conversation, humans is the more casual and commonly used term.
• When referring to more than one person of the species, always choose humans.
• “Humen or human” is incorrect; humans is the right plural form.
• The word “humen” is often a result of typographical or spoken error.
• Humans is used in scientific contexts to refer to the human species collectively.
• The plural humans can describe any group of people, regardless of size or context.
• Humans is also used in ethical and philosophical discussions about rights and responsibilities.
• Avoid using “humen” in professional or academic settings, as it’s grammatically incorrect.
• “Humen or humans” is a simple choice: always opt for humans.
• While “human” is singular, humans can refer to both individuals and groups.
• If in doubt, use humans for clarity and grammatical accuracy.
• Learning the difference between humans or humen will improve your overall language proficiency.

Humans or Human: Grammar Tips

To make sure you’re using the correct form of the word human, here are a few grammar tips:

• When referring to one person, always use human.
  • “He is a human.”
• When referring to multiple people, use humans.
  • “The humans in the room were all smiling.”
• Humen is never correct. If you accidentally use humen, it’s a mistake. Always replace it with humans.

Conclusion: “Humans” or “Humen”?

If you’re ever unsure about whether to use humans or humen, remember that humans is the correct term. It is the proper plural form of human. Humen is simply a misspelling and does not belong in standard English grammar.

By understanding pluralization and the correct usage of humans, you can confidently use the term in both formal and informal settings. Whether you are writing an essay, speaking at a meeting, or having a casual conversation, the correct plural form of human is always humans.

So next time you’re tempted to use humen, simply remember: humans is the right choice. By following these guidelines and remembering the distinction between humans or humen, you’ll not only improve your grammar but also enhance your communication clarity. Understanding pluralization and human meaning will empower you to use language with accuracy and confidence.

FAQs

Which one is correct, humans or humen?
The correct term is humans, as humen is a misspelling and not a valid word in English.

Is it correct to say humans?
Yes, humans is the proper plural form of human and is widely used in both spoken and written English.

What is the plural for human?
The plural of human is humans, formed by adding an -s to the singular word.

What is the difference between Humen and humans?
Humen is an incorrect term, while humans is the grammatically correct plural of human.

What is the meaning of the word humen?
The word humen is a misspelling and doesn’t have a recognized meaning in English.

Is it human or humans?
Use human when referring to one individual and humans when referring to more than one person.