A 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
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 |