{"id":30,"date":"2022-05-20T21:08:59","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T21:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-ecc-guidetowriting\/chapter\/regular-plural-nouns\/"},"modified":"2022-05-20T21:08:59","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T21:08:59","slug":"regular-plural-nouns","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-ecc-guidetowriting\/chapter\/regular-plural-nouns\/","title":{"raw":"Regular Plural Nouns","rendered":"Regular Plural Nouns"},"content":{"raw":"\n\"menA plural noun indicates that there is more than one of that noun (while a singular noun indicates that there is just one of the noun). Most plural forms are created by simply adding an -s<\/em> or -es<\/em> to the end of the singular word. For example, there's one dog<\/strong> (singular), but three dogs<\/strong> (plural). However, English has both regular and irregular plural nouns. Regular plurals follow this rule (and other similar rules), but irregular plurals are, well, not regular and don't follow a \"standard\" rule.\n\nLet's start with regular plurals: regular plural nouns<\/strong> use established patterns to indicate there is more than one of a thing.\n

Recognize nouns marked with plural form -s.<\/em><\/h2>\nAs was mentioned earlier, we add the plural suffix -s<\/em> to most words:\n
    \n \t
  • cat \u2192 cats<\/li>\n \t
  • bear \u2192 bears<\/li>\n \t
  • zebra \u2192 zebras<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHowever, after sounds s<\/em>, z<\/em>, sh<\/em>, ch<\/em>, and j<\/em>, we add the plural suffix -es<\/em>:\n
      \n \t
    • class \u2192 classes<\/li>\n \t
    • sash \u2192 sashes<\/li>\n \t
    • fox \u2192 foxes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSome words that end in z<\/em> also double their ending consonant, like quizzes<\/em>.\n
      \n

      Practice<\/h3>\nDo you know how to spell the plurals for the following words?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
      book<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\npeach<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      chair<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nbuzz<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      picture<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nwatch<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[reveal-answer q=\"245001\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\n[hidden-answer a=\"245001\"]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
      book<\/td>\nbooks<\/em><\/td>\npeach<\/td>\npeaches<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      chair<\/td>\nchairs<\/em><\/td>\nbuzz<\/td>\nbuzzes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      picture<\/td>\npictures<\/em><\/td>\nwatch<\/td>\nwatches<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/hidden-answer]\n\n<\/div>\n

      After the letter o<\/em>.<\/h2>\nWe also add the plural suffix -es<\/em> to most words that end in o<\/em>:\n
        \n \t
      • potato \u2192 potatoes<\/li>\n \t
      • hero \u2192 heroes<\/li>\n \t
      • mosquito \u2192 mosquitoes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHowever, when the words have a foreign origin (e.g.,Latin, Greek, Spanish), we  just add the plural suffix -s<\/em>\n
          \n \t
        • taco \u2192 tacos<\/li>\n \t
        • avocado \u2192 avocados<\/li>\n \t
        • maestro \u2192 maestros<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          Note: <\/strong>While you won't be expected to know which words have a foreign origin, being familiar with (or memorizing) some common words that use this plural can be really helpful. And remember, if you're ever in doubt, the dictionary is there for you!<\/div>\n
          \n

          Practice<\/h3>\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
          solo<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nportfolio<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          veto<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nmemo<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          echo<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nradio<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          avocado<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nzero<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          studio<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\npotato<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[reveal-answer q=\"245002\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\n[hidden-answer a=\"245002\"]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
          solo<\/td>\nsolos<\/em><\/td>\nportfolio<\/td>\nportfolios<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          veto<\/td>\nvetoes<\/em><\/td>\nmemo<\/td>\nmemos<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          echo<\/td>\nechoes<\/em><\/td>\nradio<\/td>\nradios<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          avocado<\/td>\navocados<\/em><\/td>\nzero<\/td>\nzeroes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          studio<\/td>\nstudios<\/em><\/td>\npotato<\/td>\npotatoes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/hidden-answer]\n\n<\/div>\n

          After -y<\/em> and -f<\/em>, -fe<\/em><\/h2>\nWhen a word ends in y<\/em> and there is a consonant before y<\/em>, we change the y<\/em> to i<\/em> and add -es<\/em>.\n
            \n \t
          • sky \u2192 skies<\/li>\n \t
          • candy \u2192 candies<\/li>\n \t
          • lady \u2192 ladies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHowever, if the y<\/em> follows another vowel, you simply add an -s<\/em>.\n
              \n \t
            • alloy \u2192 alloys<\/li>\n \t
            • donkey \u2192 donkeys<\/li>\n \t
            • day \u2192 days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n

              Practice<\/h3>\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
              Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
              supply<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nkey<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              fly<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nplay<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              ally<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nboy<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[reveal-answer q=\"245003\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\n[hidden-answer a=\"245003\"]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
              Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
              supply<\/td>\nsupplies<\/em><\/td>\nkey<\/td>\nkeys<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              flies<\/td>\nfries<\/em><\/td>\nplay<\/td>\nplays<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              ally<\/td>\nallies<\/em><\/td>\nboy<\/td>\nboys<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/hidden-answer]\n\n<\/div>\nWhen a word ends in -f<\/em> or -fe<\/em>, we change the f<\/em> to v<\/em> and add -es<\/em>.\n
                \n \t
              • leaf \u2192 leaves<\/li>\n \t
              • life \u2192 lives<\/li>\n \t
              • calf \u2192 calves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHowever, if there are two terminal f<\/em>s or if you still pronounce the f<\/em> in the plural, then <\/em>you simply add an -s<\/em>:\n
                  \n \t
                • cliff \u2192 cliffs<\/li>\n \t
                • chief \u2192 chiefs<\/li>\n \t
                • reef \u2192 reefs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n

                  Practice<\/h3>\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                  Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                  wolf<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nself<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  sheaf<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nroof<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  knife<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nthief<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[reveal-answer q=\"245004\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\n[hidden-answer a=\"245004\"]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                  Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                  wolf<\/td>\nwolves<\/em><\/td>\nself<\/td>\nselves<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  sheaf<\/td>\nsheaves<\/em><\/td>\nroof<\/td>\nroofs<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  knife<\/td>\nknives<\/em><\/td>\nthief<\/td>\nthieves<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/hidden-answer]\n\n<\/div>\n","rendered":"

                  \"menA plural noun indicates that there is more than one of that noun (while a singular noun indicates that there is just one of the noun). Most plural forms are created by simply adding an -s<\/em> or –es<\/em> to the end of the singular word. For example, there’s one dog<\/strong> (singular), but three dogs<\/strong> (plural). However, English has both regular and irregular plural nouns. Regular plurals follow this rule (and other similar rules), but irregular plurals are, well, not regular and don’t follow a “standard” rule.<\/p>\n

                  Let’s start with regular plurals: regular plural nouns<\/strong> use established patterns to indicate there is more than one of a thing.<\/p>\n

                  Recognize nouns marked with plural form –s.<\/em><\/h2>\n

                  As was mentioned earlier, we add the plural suffix –s<\/em> to most words:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • cat \u2192 cats<\/li>\n
                  • bear \u2192 bears<\/li>\n
                  • zebra \u2192 zebras<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    However, after sounds s<\/em>, z<\/em>, sh<\/em>, ch<\/em>, and j<\/em>, we add the plural suffix –es<\/em>:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • class \u2192 classes<\/li>\n
                    • sash \u2192 sashes<\/li>\n
                    • fox \u2192 foxes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Some words that end in z<\/em> also double their ending consonant, like quizzes<\/em>.<\/p>\n

                      \n

                      Practice<\/h3>\n

                      Do you know how to spell the plurals for the following words?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
                      Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                      book<\/td>\n