SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS
Singular means one.
Plural means more than one.
Rule1:
The plural of most words is made by adding -s to the singular form.
map, maps
dent, dents
basket, baskets
Rule 2:
When a singular word ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z, an -es will be added to form the plural.
class, classes
wish wishes
church, churches
box, boxes
buzz, buzzes
Rule 3:
When a singular word ends in ay, ey, oy, or uy, an –s will be added to form the plural.
bay, bays
key, keys
boy, boys
guy, guys
Rule 4:
When a word ends in a consonant + y, the y is changed to i, and –es will be added to form the plural.
baby, babies
candy candies
battery batteries
cry cries
Rule 5:
Some words totally change in the plural form.
man, men
woman, women
child, children
goose, geese
Use a dictionarv to check the plural forms of nouns.
If the word totally changes to form the plural, the dictionary will spell out the plural.
Example: child (child) n., pl. children. 1. baby or infant
(pl. = plural)
Rule 6:
Some words are the same in the singular and plural forms.
sheep, sheep
deer, deer
moose, moose
Use a dictionarv to check the plural forms of nouns.
If the word does not change from singular to plural, the dictionary will show it.
Example: moose (moos) n., pl. moose. 1. a large animal ...
(pl. = plural)
Rule 7:
Some words ending in f change the f to v and add -es to form the plural.
calf, calves
thief, thieves
leaf, leaves
Use a dictionarv to check the plural forms of nouns. If the word changes f to v, the dictionary will
show it.
Example: calf (kaf) , n., pl. calves. 1. a baby cow
(pl. = plural)
Rule 8:
Some words ending in f do not change f to v. These words simply add -s to form the plural.
puff, puffs
whiff, whiffs
grief, griefs
Rule 9:
Some words ending in o, add -s to form the plural. (a vowel + o, usually adds “s”)
Some words ending in o, add -es to form the plural. (a consonant + o, usually adds “es”)
Some words ending in o, add -s or -es to form the plural.
Use vour dictionary to check for the correct plural form.
Examples: photo (fo to), n., pl. photos
hero (hir o), n., pl. heroes
zero (zir o), n., pl. zeros, zeroes
Rule 10:
Some hyphenated words add –s to the first part when forming the plural.
The same applies to non-hyphenated words.
Check vour dictionarv for the correct plural form.
Examples: sister-in-law, sisters-in-law
Commander-in-chief, commanders-in-chief
NOTE:
In a dictionary, if two plural forms are given, the first listed is preferred and should be used.
Example: cactus: cacti, cactuses
Cacti should be used.
NOUNS – PLURALS
Directions: Write the plural form in the space provided. In the space before the number, write the rule
number from your reference handout which applies. Example: 3 1. monkey monkeys
______1. pencil ___________________________________________________________________
______2. gulf ____________________________________________________________________
______3. dodo ____________________________________________________________________
______4. mother-in-law______________________________________________________________
______5. shirt _____________________________________________________________________
______6. potato ___________________________________________________________________
______7. mouse ___________________________________________________________________
______8. toy ______________________________________________________________________
______9. entry _____________________________________________________________________
______10. idea ____________________________________________________________________
______11. hobo ____________________________________________________________________
______12. foot _____________________________________________________________________
______13. life _____________________________________________________________________
______14. louse ____________________________________________________________________
______15. reply ____________________________________________________________________
______16. customer ________________________________________________________________
______17. slush ____________________________________________________________________
______18. tooth ____________________________________________________________________
______19. spoof ___________________________________________________________________
______20. tray ____________________________________________________________________
______21. bunch __________________________________________________________________
______22. fox ____________________________________________________________________
______23. century _________________________________________________________________
______24. generation ______________________________________________________________
______25. pet _____________________________________________________________________
NOUNS – PLURALS
Directions: Write the plural form in the space provided. In the space before the number, write the rule
which applies. Example: 3 1. monkey monkeys
______1. replay ____________________________________________________________________
______2. box ______________________________________________________________________
______3. symphony _________________________________________________________________
______4. loaf ______________________________________________________________________
______5. latch ____________________________________________________________________
______6. elk ______________________________________________________________________
______7. country __________________________________________________________________
______8. essay ____________________________________________________________________
______9. father-in-law______________________________________________________________
______10. mantis __________________________________________________________________
______11. soda ____________________________________________________________________
______12. ax ___________________________________________________________________
______13. stereo ___________________________________________________________________
______14. ox
___________________________________________________________________
______15. push
___________________________________________________________________
______16. funnel
__________________________________________________________________
______17. rodeo
___________________________________________________________________
______18. calf
___________________________________________________________________
______19. honey __________________________________________________________________
______20. witch
___________________________________________________________________
______21. press
___________________________________________________________________
______22. hex ___________________________________________________________________
______23. computer
______24. trout
______25. leaf
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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