Errata vs. Erratum is a common point of confusion, especially in academic writing, publishing, research papers, and books. The two words are closely related, but they are not interchangeable.

Errata vs. Erratum mainly comes down to number: erratum is the singular form, while errata is the plural form. Both refer to errors or corrections in written or printed material.

Once you know this distinction, choosing the right word becomes straightforward. This guide explains what each term means, when to use it, common mistakes, examples, and how these Latin-derived forms work in English.

What Does Erratum Mean?

Erratum is a singular noun referring to a mistake in writing, printing, or published material. It can also refer to a notice identifying and correcting one particular error.

For example:

The publisher issued an erratum for the incorrect figure on page 14.

Here, erratum refers to one correction concerning one error.

The word is especially common in formal contexts such as:

• Academic books
• Research papers
• Scientific publications
• Journals
• Technical manuals
• Legal or professional documents
• Published reports

In everyday writing, error, mistake, or correction will often sound more natural. Erratum has a more formal and specialized tone.

What Does Errata Mean?

Errata is the plural of erratum. It refers to multiple errors or, commonly, a collection or list of corrections relating to a published work. Oxford lists errata as the plural of erratum and gives examples involving lists of corrections in books and online publications.

For example:

The publisher released errata for the first edition.

This means that several errors were identified and corrected.

You may also see the phrase errata sheet, which usually refers to a document or page listing mistakes and their corrections.

For example:

An errata sheet was included with the revised textbook.

In this context, errata does not describe one particular mistake. It refers to the collection of corrections.

Errata vs. Erratum: The Simple Difference

The easiest way to remember the difference is:

Think of it like this:

One = erratum
More than one = errata

The pattern is similar to other Latin-derived pairs such as datum/data and medium/media, although each word has its own usage conventions.

Why Is Errata the Plural of Erratum?

The unusual forms come from Latin.

Erratum entered English from Latin and is related to errare, meaning “to err” or “to make a mistake.” Oxford dates the English word to the mid-16th century.

In Latin, erratum is a neuter singular noun. Its plural form is errata. English has retained these traditional forms in formal vocabulary.

You may already know other English words that preserve similar Latin plural patterns:

• Datum → data
• Medium → media
• Addendum → addenda
• Memorandum → memoranda
• Erratum → errata

However, English does not always require speakers and writers to use traditional Latin plurals. Many Latin-derived words have developed regular English plurals over time. With erratum, though, errata remains the established plural form in formal usage.

When Should You Use Erratum?

Use erratum when referring to one specific error or correction.

For example:

• The publisher issued an erratum for a numerical error.
• An erratum appeared in the following issue of the journal.
• The author requested an erratum after discovering a spelling mistake.
• Please see the erratum for the corrected table.
• The second edition includes an erratum for the original error.

The word works particularly well when the correction has a formal or publication-related context.

If you are writing casually, however, there is usually no need to use such a specialized term. You could simply write:

The publisher issued a correction.

Both sentences communicate essentially the same idea, but erratum sounds more formal.

When Should You Use Errata?

Use errata when referring to multiple errors or a collection of corrections.

Examples include:

• The publisher released errata for the first edition.
• The journal website lists errata for several articles.
• Readers should check the errata before using the original data.
• The textbook contains an errata sheet at the back.
• Several errata were discovered after publication.

The word is especially useful when a publication has a group of known errors that need to be documented together.

If there is only one correction, erratum is normally the appropriate singular form.

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Is “An Errata” Correct?

In standard usage, “an errata” is not the correct way to use the traditional singular/plural pair.

Because errata ends in -a, it can look like a singular word to English speakers. But in this pair, errata is plural.

So compare:

Incorrect:

An errata was issued for the book.

Correct:

An erratum was issued for the book.

For multiple corrections:

Errata were issued for the book.

The verb also changes because erratum is singular while errata is plural.

One correction

The erratum was published online.

Multiple corrections

The errata were published online.

That small agreement difference is an easy way to spot which form you need.

Erratum vs. Correction: Are They the Same?

They can refer to essentially the same action, but they differ in tone and usage.

Correction is the broad, everyday term. Erratum is more specialized and is strongly associated with published material.

For example:

The newspaper published a correction.

This sounds completely natural in general English.

By contrast:

The journal published an erratum.

This sounds more formal and publication-specific.

You do not need to use erratum simply because a mistake appeared in writing. The term is most useful when you are discussing formal publication practices.

How Are Errata Used in Books and Journals?

In publishing, errata can identify mistakes discovered after a work has already been printed or released.

A publisher may prepare an errata list containing information such as:

The exact format varies by publisher.

In academic and scientific publishing, corrections may also be handled through formal notices, updated online versions, or journal-specific correction procedures. The terminology can vary, so a publication may use correction, erratum, or another editorial term depending on its policies.

7 Quick Examples of Erratum and Errata

Here are seven examples to make the distinction easier to remember.

1. One spelling mistake

The publisher issued an erratum correcting the author’s name.

One specific correction is being discussed.

2. Several printing mistakes

The publisher released errata for the first edition.

There are multiple corrections.

3. One incorrect number

An erratum was published after the incorrect figure was discovered.

4. A list of corrections

Readers can find the errata at the end of the revised book.

5. Academic publishing

The journal posted an erratum for the article.

The sentence refers to one correction notice.

6. Multiple journal corrections

The journal’s website contains errata for several previously published papers.

7. A correction document

Students were given an errata sheet for the textbook.

Here, the sheet contains a collection of errors and their corrections.

Common Mistakes With Errata and Erratum

The most frequent mistake is treating errata as though it were singular.

Mistake 1: Using “an errata”

Avoid:

An errata was published.

Prefer:

An erratum was published.

Mistake 2: Using “erratum” for several errors

Avoid:

The publisher released one erratum covering dozens of mistakes.

If you mean a collection of corrections, errata is generally the better choice:

The publisher released errata covering dozens of mistakes.

That said, the wording can depend on whether you mean one formal correction notice containing multiple corrections or several individual correction notices. In those cases, correction notice may be clearer.

Mistake 3: Assuming every correction needs a Latin term

Not every mistake needs to be called an erratum. In ordinary English, mistake, error, or correction may be clearer.

Use the specialized term when the publishing or academic context makes it useful.

A Simple Memory Trick

If you regularly confuse these words, remember:

Erratum = one
Errata = more than one

You can also connect the ending to familiar Latin-derived words:

• Datum → data
• Erratum → errata

So if you are talking about one correction, choose erratum. If you are talking about a collection of corrections, choose errata.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is erratum singular or plural?

Erratum is singular. It refers to one error or one correction notice. Its traditional plural is errata.

Is errata singular or plural?

Errata is plural. It refers to multiple errors or a collection of corrections.

What is the plural of erratum?

The traditional plural of erratum is errata. This Latin-derived form is still standard in formal English.

What is the singular of errata?

The singular of errata is erratum.

Can I say “an errata”?

No, not when using the traditional singular/plural distinction. Use an erratum for one correction.

Should I say “errata was” or “errata were”?

Because errata is plural, use were in standard usage:

The errata were published online.

For one correction:

The erratum was published online.

Is an erratum the same as a correction?

They can describe the same basic idea, but erratum is a more formal, publication-related term. Correction is broader and more common in everyday English.

Is errata used only for printed books?

No. The term can also be used for corrections associated with journals, articles, websites, and other published material. Oxford, for example, includes both printed lists and lists posted on websites in its definition.

Conclusion

The difference between errata vs. erratum is mainly a matter of number.

Erratum is the singular form for one error or correction, while errata is the plural form for multiple errors or a collection of corrections. Both are most common in formal writing, publishing, academic work, and professional contexts.

When you need to remember which one to use, keep it simple: one erratum, multiple errata. If the specialized terminology feels unnecessary, the everyday words error and correction are perfectly clear alternatives.