The short answer is: use foreman for one supervisor, and foremen for more than one.
Many people search for foremen or foreman because these words are closely related and often confused in workplace, construction, and management contexts. The confusion usually comes from understanding singular vs plural forms.
- Foreman refers to one supervisor or leader, usually in charge of workers on a site or team.
- Foremen is simply the plural form, referring to more than one foreman.
For example, writing “The foreman approved the schedule” is correct for one person, but “The foremen met to discuss safety rules” is correct when talking about several supervisors.
This article gives a quick answer, explains the origin of the word, compares British and American English usage, highlights common mistakes, provides real-life examples, and answers FAQs so you can confidently use foreman or foremen correctly.
Foremen or Foreman: Quick Answer
- Foreman → Singular noun, meaning one supervisor or team leader.
- Foremen → Plural noun, meaning more than one supervisor.
Examples:
- The foreman inspected the construction site. ✅
- All the foremen attended the safety meeting. ✅
Tip:
- One person = foreman
- More than one = foremen
The Origin of Foreman and Foremen
- Foreman comes from Old English fore (before or in front) + man, meaning a person who leads or directs others.
- Foremen follows an irregular plural rule in English, like man → men.
Key takeaway: The plural changes the vowel (man → men) instead of adding -s.
British English vs American English Usage
| Aspect | Foreman | Foremen |
| Meaning | One supervisor | Multiple supervisors |
| Singular/Plural | Singular | Plural |
| Common usage UK | Construction, factories, teams | Construction, factories, teams |
| Common usage US | Construction, factories, teams | Construction, factories, teams |
| Example | “The foreman gave instructions.” | “The foremen reviewed the plans.” |
Tip: There is no spelling difference between UK and US English only number matters.
Which One Should You Use?
- Use Foreman when referring to one leader or supervisor:
Example: “The foreman checked the workers’ progress.” - Use Foremen when referring to two or more supervisors:
Example: “The foremen coordinated the project timeline.”
Professional tip: Check the number in your sentence. If it’s plural, use foremen.
Common Mistakes with Foreman and Foremen
- Using foremans instead of foremen
- ❌ “The foremans agreed on the plan.”
- ✅ “The foremen agreed on the plan.”
- Using foremen for one person
- ❌ “The foremen is in charge today.”
- ✅ “The foreman is in charge today.”
- Subject-verb disagreement
- ❌ “The foremen is meeting now.”
- ✅ “The foremen are meeting now.”
- Spelling mistakes
- ❌ formam, forman
- ✅ foreman, foremen
Foreman or Foremen in Everyday Examples
Workplace
- “The foreman assigned tasks to the crew.”
- “The foremen discussed safety procedures.”
Construction
- “Each site has a dedicated foreman.”
- “Several foremen oversee different sections of the project.”
Emails
- “Please report directly to the foreman on duty.”
- “All foremen must attend the briefing tomorrow.”
News
- “The foreman of the jury announced the verdict.”
- “Union foremen raised concerns about working conditions.”
Foreman or Foremen: Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows foreman is more common overall because singular references are frequent, while foremen appears mainly in organizational or reporting contexts.
| Keyword | Popularity | Common Context |
| Foreman | High | Construction, supervision, jury roles |
| Foremen | Medium | Management meetings, reports |
| Jury foreman | Medium | Legal and court news |
| Construction foreman | High | Industry and job listings |
FAQs: Foremen or Foreman
1. Are foreman and foremen the same?
No. Foreman is singular; foremen is plural.
2. Is foremans correct?
No. The correct plural is foremen.
3. Can foreman refer to a jury member?
Yes. A jury foreman leads the jury and announces the verdict.
4. Is foreman gender-specific?
Traditionally yes, but it is now often used as a gender-neutral job title.
5. What is the feminine form of foreman?
Sometimes forewoman is used, with plural forewomen, but foreman is widely accepted as neutral.
6. Is usage different in British and American English?
No. Both use foreman and foremen the same way.
7. How do I remember the plural?
Think man → men, just like policeman → policemen.
Conclusion
The difference between foremen or foreman is simple but important. Foreman refers to one supervisor or leader, while foremen refers to more than one. There is no regional spelling difference only number matters.
Using the correct form improves clarity in professional writing, workplace communication, and formal documents. Remember:
- One leader = foreman
- Multiple leaders = foremen
With this rule in mind, you’ll always choose the correct word.
I am Lynne Truss, a British writer and journalist who is best known for my work on English grammar. I have always been interested in language and punctuation, especially how small mistakes can change meaning. Through my books, I try to make grammar easy, interesting, and enjoyable for readers.
