Text: Regular Plural Nouns

Icon of two men wearing suitsA 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). English has both regular and irregular plural nouns.

Let’s start with regular plurals: regular plural nouns use established patterns to indicate there is more than one of a thing.

Recognize nouns marked with plural form –s.

We add the plural suffix –s to most words.

  • apple → apples
  • key → keys
  • computer → computers

However, after sounds s, z, sh, ch, and j, we add the plural suffix –es.

  • box → boxes
  • wish → wishes
  • kiss → kisses

Practice

Do you know how to spell the plurals for the following words?

Singular Plural Singular Plural
book peach
chair buzz
picture watch

After the letter o.

We add the plural suffix –es to most words that end in o.

  • tomato → tomatoes
  • hero → heroes

We add the plural suffix –s to words of foreign origin (Latin, Greek, Spanish, etc.)

  • piano → pianos
  • photo → photos
  • video → videos
Note: 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!

Practice

What are the correct plurals for the following words?

Singular Plural Singular Plural
solo portfolio
veto memo
echo radio
avocado zero
studio potato

After –y and –f, –fe

When a word ends in y and there is a consonant before y, we change the y to i and add –es.

  • baby → babies
  • fly → flies

But not after a vowel + y

  • toy → toys
  • monkey → monkeys
  • day → days

Practice

What are the correct plurals for the following words?

Singular Plural Singular Plural
supply key
fry play
ally boy

When a word ends in –f or –fe, we change the f to v and add –es.

  • leaf → leaves
  • life → lives
  • scarf → scarves
  • calf → calves
  • loaf → loaves

But not in these words

  • cliff → cliffs
  • roof → roofs
  • belief → beliefs
  • chief → chiefs

Practice

What are the correct plurals for the following words?

Singular Plural Singular Plural
wolf self
chief half
sheaf roof
knife thief

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