Which one is correct?
"the mass" or "the masses"?

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the mass

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a large body of matter or a religious ceremony.

Use 'the mass' when referring to a large body of matter or a religious ceremony, such as a Catholic Mass.

Examples:

  • The asteroid had a huge mass.
  • We attended the morning mass at the church.

the masses

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a large number of people or the general public.

Use 'the masses' when referring to a large number of people or the general public, such as in political speeches or social commentary.

Examples:

  • The politician promised to fight for the interests of the masses.
  • The movie was a hit with the masses.
Both 'the mass' and 'the masses' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The mass' refers to a large body of matter, while 'the masses' refers to a large number of people. Therefore, they are not directly comparable as they have different meanings.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

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