{"id":32,"date":"2017-07-20T16:27:43","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T16:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-geneseo-styleguide2\/chapter\/regular-plural-nouns\/"},"modified":"2017-07-20T16:27:43","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T16:27:43","slug":"regular-plural-nouns","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-geneseo-styleguide2\/chapter\/regular-plural-nouns\/","title":{"raw":"Regular Plural Nouns","rendered":"Regular Plural Nouns"},"content":{"raw":"\"IconA plural noun\u00a0indicates 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\u00a0-s<\/em> or -es<\/em> to the end of the singular word.\u00a0For example, there's one dog<\/strong> (singular), but three dogs<\/strong> (plural). However,\u00a0English has both regular and irregular plural nouns. Regular plurals follow this rule (and other similar rules), but\u00a0irregular 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\u00a0patterns to\u00a0indicate there is more than one of a thing.\n

Recognize nouns marked with plural form -s.<\/em><\/h2>\nAs was\u00a0mentioned earlier, we add the plural suffix -s<\/em> to most words:\n
  • 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
    • class \u2192 classes<\/li>\n \t
    • sash \u2192 sashes<\/li>\n \t
    • fox \u2192 foxes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSome words that end in\u00a0z<\/em> also double their ending\u00a0consonant, like\u00a0quizzes<\/em>.\n
      \n

      Practice<\/h3>\nDo you know how to spell the plurals\u00a0for the following words?\n
      Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>
      book<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\npeach<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
      chair<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nbuzz<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
      picture<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nwatch<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n[reveal-answer q=\"245001\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\n[hidden-answer a=\"245001\"]\n
      Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>
      book<\/td>\nbooks<\/em><\/td>\npeach<\/td>\npeaches<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
      chair<\/td>\nchairs<\/em><\/td>\nbuzz<\/td>\nbuzzes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
      picture<\/td>\npictures<\/em><\/td>\nwatch<\/td>\nwatches<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n[\/hidden-answer]\n\n<\/div>\n

      After the letter\u00a0o<\/em>.<\/h2>\nWe also add the plural suffix -es<\/em> to most words that end in o<\/em>:\n
      • 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 \u00a0just add the plural suffix -s<\/em>\n
        • taco \u2192 tacos<\/li>\n \t
        • avocado\u00a0\u2192 avocados<\/li>\n \t
        • maestro \u2192 maestros<\/li>\n<\/ul>
          Note:\u00a0<\/strong>While you won't be expected to know which words have a foreign origin, being familiar with (or memorizing) some\u00a0common words that use this plural\u00a0can\u00a0be 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
          Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>
          solo<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nportfolio<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
          veto<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nmemo<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
          echo<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nradio<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
          avocado<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nzero<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
          studio<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\npotato<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n[reveal-answer q=\"245002\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\n[hidden-answer a=\"245002\"]\n
          Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>
          solo<\/td>\nsolos<\/em><\/td>\nportfolio<\/td>\nportfolios<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
          veto<\/td>\nvetoes<\/em><\/td>\nmemo<\/td>\nmemos<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
          echo<\/td>\nechoes<\/em><\/td>\nradio<\/td>\nradios<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
          avocado<\/td>\navocados<\/em><\/td>\nzero<\/td>\nzeroes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
          studio<\/td>\nstudios<\/em><\/td>\npotato<\/td>\npotatoes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n[\/hidden-answer]\n\n<\/div>\n

          After -y<\/em>\u00a0and -f<\/em>, -fe<\/em><\/h2>\nWhen a word ends in y<\/em>\u00a0and there is a consonant before y<\/em>, we change the y<\/em>\u00a0to i<\/em>\u00a0and add -es<\/em>.\n
          • sky\u00a0\u2192\u00a0skies<\/li>\n \t
          • candy\u00a0\u2192\u00a0candies<\/li>\n \t
          • lady\u00a0\u2192\u00a0ladies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHowever, if the\u00a0y<\/em> follows another vowel, you simply add an -s<\/em>.\n
            • alloy\u00a0\u2192\u00a0alloys<\/li>\n \t
            • donkey\u00a0\u2192\u00a0donkeys<\/li>\n \t
            • day\u00a0\u2192 days<\/li>\n<\/ul>
              \n

              Practice<\/h3>\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\n
              Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>
              supply<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nkey<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
              fly<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nplay<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr>
              ally<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\nboy<\/td>\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n[reveal-answer q=\"245003\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\n[hidden-answer a=\"245003\"]\n
              Singular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\nSingular<\/th>\nPlural<\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>
              supply<\/td>\nsupplies<\/em><\/td>\nkey<\/td>\nkeys<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
              flies<\/td>\nfries<\/em><\/td>\nplay<\/td>\nplays<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>
              ally<\/td>\nallies<\/em><\/td>\nboy<\/td>\nboys<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/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>\u00a0and add -es<\/em>.\n
              • leaf\u00a0\u2192 leaves<\/li>\n \t
              • life\u00a0\u2192 lives<\/li>\n \t
              • calf\u00a0\u2192 calves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHowever, if there are two terminal\u00a0f<\/em>s or if you still pronounce the\u00a0f<\/em> in the plural, then\u00a0<\/em>you simply add an -s<\/em>:\n
                • cliff\u00a0\u2192 cliffs<\/li>\n \t
                • chief \u2192\u00a0chiefs<\/li>\n \t
                • reef\u00a0\u2192 reefs<\/li>\n<\/ul>
                  \n

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

                  \"IconA plural noun\u00a0indicates 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\u00a0-s<\/em> or –es<\/em> to the end of the singular word.\u00a0For example, there’s one dog<\/strong> (singular), but three dogs<\/strong> (plural). However,\u00a0English has both regular and irregular plural nouns. Regular plurals follow this rule (and other similar rules), but\u00a0irregular 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\u00a0patterns to\u00a0indicate there is more than one of a thing.<\/p>\n

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

                  As was\u00a0mentioned 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\u00a0z<\/em> also double their ending\u00a0consonant, like\u00a0quizzes<\/em>.<\/p>\n

                      \n

                      Practice<\/h3>\n

                      Do you know how to spell the plurals\u00a0for 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