Heros vs Heroes: Understanding the Correct Spelling

"Heroes" is the correct plural form of "hero," while "heros" is a common misspelling. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the correct spelling, the pluralization rule for words ending in "o," and provide memory tricks to never make this mistake again.

Quick Answer

• Heroes = CORRECT plural of hero
• Heros = INCORRECT spelling (common mistake)

The Correct Form: Heroes

Heroes is the only correct plural form of "hero."

Definition of Hero:

Hero (noun):

1. A person admired for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities
2. The main character in a story, movie, or play
3. A large sandwich (also called a submarine sandwich or sub)

Plural Form:

Hero → Heroes (add -ES, not just -S)

Why "Heroes" Not "Heros":

Words ending in a consonant + "o" typically add -ES to form the plural, not just -S.

Examples of "Heroes":

People:

• Firefighters are everyday heroes.
• The soldiers returned home as heroes.
• We need more heroes in the world.
• Superheroes are fictional heroes.
• They are my heroes.
• Historical heroes inspire us.

Fiction/Entertainment:

• The movie has memorable heroes.
• Comic book heroes fight villains.
• Action heroes save the day.
• The story follows two heroes.
• Video game heroes have special powers.

Sandwiches:

• We ordered three heroes from the deli.
• Italian heroes are my favorite.
• The shop sells foot-long heroes.

Phrases:

• Local heroes honored at ceremony
• Unsung heroes of the pandemic
• Heroes and villains
• Hometown heroes
• Everyday heroes

Why "Heros" is Wrong

Heros is simply an incorrect spelling. It doesn't exist as a valid word in English.

Common Mistake:

Many people assume you just add -S to make any word plural, but English has specific rules for words ending in "o."

Incorrect:

• The heros saved the day. (Wrong!)
• We need more heros. (Wrong!)
• Comic book heros are popular. (Wrong!)
• They are my heros. (Wrong!)

Correct:

• The heroes saved the day.
• We need more heroes.
• Comic book heroes are popular.
• They are my heroes.

The "-O" Plural Rule in English

Understanding when to add -ES vs. -S for words ending in "o":

Add -ES (consonant + O):

When a word ends in a consonant followed by "o," add -ES:

Examples:

• Hero → Heroes
• Tomato → Tomatoes
• Potato → Potatoes
• Echo → Echoes
• Torpedo → Torpedoes
• Veto → Vetoes
• Volcano → Volcanoes (or volcanos - both accepted)
• Tornado → Tornadoes (or tornados - both accepted)
• Cargo → Cargoes (or cargos - both accepted)
• Mango → Mangoes (or mangos - both accepted)

Add -S (vowel + O):

When a word ends in a vowel followed by "o," just add -S:

Examples:

• Radio → Radios
• Studio → Studios
• Portfolio → Portfolios
• Scenario → Scenarios
• Cameo → Cameos
• Patio → Patios
• Stereo → Stereos
• Zoo → Zoos
• Video → Videos
• Rodeo → Rodeos

Musical Terms - Add -S:

Musical terms borrowed from Italian typically just add -S:

Examples:

• Piano → Pianos
• Solo → Solos
• Soprano → Sopranos
• Alto → Altos
• Concerto → Concertos

Some Words Accept Both:

A few words accept both spellings:

Examples:

• Volcano → Volcanoes or Volcanos
• Tornado → Tornadoes or Tornados
• Mango → Mangoes or Mangos
• Cargo → Cargoes or Cargos
• Buffalo → Buffaloes or Buffalos

Note: For "hero," only heroes is correct. "Heros" is never an accepted alternative.

Memory Tricks

1. The "E" for Exceptional

• HEroEs has two E's for Exceptional people
• Every hEro nEeds the letter E in the plural!

2. Follow Tomato and Potato

• Hero → Heroes (like tomato → tomatoes, potato → potatoes)
• Remember: "My heroes eat tomatoes and potatoes"

3. The Echo Connection

• Hero → Heroes
• Echo → Echoes
• Both end in consonant + "o," both add -ES

4. No Hero Without an E

• HEROES needs the extra "E" to be heroic
• HEROS is incomplete, not heroic enough!

5. The Song Method

• Sing "We are the HEROES" (like the David Bowie song)
• The three-syllable HE-RO-ES flows better than HE-ROS

6. Visual Trick

• HEROES → HEROES → two E's bookend the word
• Every hEro

Common Mistakes and Corrections

Incorrect Spellings:

1. The heros arrived just in time. (Wrong!)
2. We honor our fallen heros. (Wrong!)
3. Superhero movies feature amazing heros. (Wrong!)
4. They are the heros of the story. (Wrong!)
5. Local heros receive awards. (Wrong!)
6. My heros have always been teachers. (Wrong!)
7. Action heros save the day. (Wrong!)
8. The heros defeated the villain. (Wrong!)

Correct Spellings:

1. The heroes arrived just in time.
2. We honor our fallen heroes.
3. Superhero movies feature amazing heroes.
4. They are the heroes of the story.
5. Local heroes receive awards.
6. My heroes have always been teachers.
7. Action heroes save the day.
8. The heroes defeated the villain.

Related Words and Forms

Hero (Singular):

• He is a hero.
• She became a hero overnight.
• Every hero has a story.
• The hero saved the child.

Heroes (Plural):

• They are heroes.
• The heroes returned home.
• We need more heroes.
• All heroes wear different capes.

Hero's (Singular Possessive):

• The hero's journey was long.
• That was the hero's weapon.
• We admired the hero's courage.
• The hero's sacrifice was noble.

Heroes' (Plural Possessive):

• The heroes' celebration was grand.
• We heard the heroes' stories.
• The heroes' bravery inspired us.
• That monument honors the heroes' legacy.

Heroic (Adjective):

• A heroic act
• Heroic deeds
• Heroic efforts
• Heroic measures

Heroism (Noun):

• Acts of heroism
• True heroism requires courage.
• Heroism in the face of danger
• Military heroism

Heroically (Adverb):

• She fought heroically.
• They responded heroically.
• He heroically saved the day.

Detailed Examples in Context

Heroes (People - Courage and Achievement):

Everyday Heroes:

• Nurses are modern-day heroes.
• Teachers are unsung heroes.
• Parents are our first heroes.
• Essential workers are pandemic heroes.
• Firefighters are true heroes.
• Police officers are community heroes.

Historical Heroes:

• World War II heroes sacrificed much.
• Civil rights heroes fought for equality.
• Historical heroes shaped our nation.
• Revolutionary heroes won freedom.
• The heroes of 9/11 will never be forgotten.

Fictional Heroes:

• Superman and Batman are comic book heroes.
• Marvel heroes have superpowers.
• Action movie heroes fight villains.
• The heroes defeated the dark lord.
• Video game heroes complete quests.
• Fantasy heroes go on adventures.

Sports Heroes:

• Olympic heroes win gold medals.
• Childhood sports heroes inspire us.
• Basketball heroes make impossible shots.
• Hometown heroes win championships.

Heroes (Sandwiches):

Restaurant Context:

• We ordered three Italian heroes.
• The deli makes the best heroes.
• Meatball heroes are delicious.
• Would you like chips with your heroes?
• They sell foot-long heroes.

Note: This usage is primarily American, especially in the Northeast. Other regions might call them subs, hoagies, grinders, or po'boys.

Common Phrases and Expressions

With "Heroes":

• Heroes and villains
• Unsung heroes
• Everyday heroes
• Local heroes
• War heroes
• Hometown heroes
• Heroes' welcome
• Fallen heroes
• Action heroes
• Superhero (compound: super + hero)
• Heroes' journey (also "hero's journey" for singular)
• Zero to hero (singular)
• Guitar Hero (video game - singular)
• Heroes never die
• Not all heroes wear capes

Famous Quotes with "Heroes":

• "We are the heroes of our time." - David Bowie song
• "Not all heroes wear capes."
• "Dead heroes don't save anyone."
• "The world needs heroes."

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct spelling for each sentence:

1. The (heros/heroes) saved the day.
2. We need more (heros/heroes) in the world.
3. Firefighters are everyday (heros/heroes).
4. Comic book (heros/heroes) fight villains.
5. They returned home as (heros/heroes).
6. My (heros/heroes) have always been teachers.
7. The movie features several (heros/heroes).
8. We ordered Italian (heros/heroes) for lunch.
9. Local (heros/heroes) were honored at the ceremony.
10. The (heros/heroes) defeated the evil wizard.
11. Superheroes are fictional (heros/heroes).
12. Historical (heros/heroes) inspire us today.

Answers: All answers are HEROES! Remember, "heros" is never correct.

Why People Make This Mistake

Reasons for the Error:

1. Overgeneralization of -S Rule:

   • Many plurals just add -S (cat → cats, dog → dogs)
   • People forget special rules for words ending in "o"

2. Lack of Familiarity:

   • Not knowing the consonant + "o" → add -ES rule
   • Never learned the specific pluralization pattern

3. Visual Similarity:

   • "Heros" looks like it could be correct
   • The eye might skip over the missing "e"

4. Autocorrect Failure:

   • Some autocorrect systems miss this error
   • Quick typing on phones leads to uncorrected mistakes

5. Other Languages:

   • Spanish speakers might add -S (though Spanish "héroe" → "héroes" also adds -ES!)
   • Different pluralization rules in native language

Special Cases

Compound Words with "Hero":

Superhero:

• Singular: Superhero
• Plural: Superheroes (NOT superheroes)

Examples:

• Marvel has many superheroes.
• My favorite superhero is Spider-Man.
• Superheroes have special powers.

Antihero:

• Singular: Antihero
• Plural: Antiheroes (NOT antiheros)

Examples:

• Modern stories often feature antiheroes.
• The antihero is complex and flawed.
• Antiheroes are neither purely good nor evil.

Hero Worship:

"Hero worship" uses the singular form:

• Hero worship is common among fans.
• Stop the hero worship of celebrities.
• Hero worship can be unhealthy.

Possessive Forms:

Singular Possessive (Hero's):

• The hero's cape was red.
• I admire the hero's courage.
• The hero's journey began.

Plural Possessive (Heroes'):

• The heroes' sacrifice was great.
• We honor the heroes' memory.
• The heroes' stories inspire us.

Important: Don't confuse these:

• Heroes = plural
• Hero's = singular possessive
• Heroes' = plural possessive

Other Words Following the Same Pattern

Words like "Hero" (Consonant + O → Add -ES):

Definitely add -ES:

• Hero → Heroes
• Echo → Echoes
• Tomato → Tomatoes
• Potato → Potatoes
• Torpedo → Torpedoes
• Veto → Vetoes
• Embargo → Embargoes

Can be either (both accepted):

• Volcano → Volcanoes or Volcanos
• Tornado → Tornadoes or Tornados
• Mango → Mangoes or Mangos
• Cargo → Cargoes or Cargos

Just add -S (vowel + O or special cases):

• Radio → Radios
• Piano → Pianos
• Studio → Studios
• Photo → Photos

Grammar Rules Summary

The "-O" Pluralization Rule:

Consonant + O → Add -ES:

• If a consonant comes before the "o," add -ES
• Hero (R + O) → HeroES
• Tomato (T + O) → TomatoES

Vowel + O → Add -S:

• If a vowel comes before the "o," add -S
• Radio (I + O) → RadioS
• Studio (I + O) → StudioS

Musical Terms → Add -S:

• Italian musical terms just add -S
• Piano → PianoS
• Solo → SoloS

Exceptions and Variations:

• Some words accept both forms
• When in doubt, check a dictionary
• For "hero," only heroes is correct

Cultural References

"Heroes" in Popular Culture:

Songs:

• "Heroes" by David Bowie (note the correct spelling!)
• "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler (singular)
• "Hero" by Mariah Carey (singular)

TV Shows:

• "Heroes" (NBC series) - correctly spelled
• "My Hero Academia" (anime) - singular "hero"

Video Games:

• "Guitar Hero" (singular)
• "Heroes of the Storm" (plural - correctly spelled)

Movies:

• "Big Hero 6" (singular "hero")
• "Heroes" (1977 film) - correctly spelled

Summary

HEROES = CORRECT:

• Heroes is the ONLY correct plural of "hero"
• Add -ES because "hero" ends in consonant + "o"
• HEROES has two E's
• Think: like "tomatoes" and "potatoes"
• Pronunciation: HE-roes (two syllables)

HEROS = INCORRECT:

• Heros is NEVER correct
• It's a common misspelling
• Don't use it in any context
• Autocorrect should flag it

Memory Tricks:

1. Every hEro needs an E: HEROES
2. Follow tomatoes and potatoes
3. Consonant + O → add -ES
4. Two E's for Exceptional people

Quick Check:

• ✓ Heroes saved the day
• ✗ Heros saved the day
• ✓ We need more heroes
• ✗ We need more heros
• ✓ My heroes inspire me
• ✗ My heros inspire me

Conclusion

Heroes is the only correct plural form of "hero," and "heros" is simply a misspelling. This follows the English rule that words ending in a consonant plus "o" typically add -ES to form the plural, just like "tomatoes," "potatoes," and "echoes."

Remember this simple memory trick: HEROES has two E's because every hero is exceptional! Or think of your heroes eating tomatoes and potatoes - all three words follow the same pattern and add -ES.

Whether you're writing about everyday heroes, comic book heroes, or ordering Italian heroes from a deli, always spell it HEROES with that essential "E." Master this spelling, and you'll never make this common mistake again!