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Grammar — Singular & Plural
Nouns
Why Grammar? Christian Worldview Many of us that attended
government school either never understood the importance of grammar or did not
care. Some only performed the grammar exercises since it was required and/or
we did not want to get "in trouble." This is so sad because grammar is not just
about the mechanics of language, but has a Christian worldview behind it.
Grammar, as in all things in creation, points us to our Lord.
Single & Plural Nouns PDF File Worksheets (includes flashcards)
Singular Noun Definition: When a noun means one only, it is said to be
singular.
Examples: boy, girl, book, church, box
Plural Noun Definition: When a noun means more than one, it is said to
be plural.
Examples: boys, girls, books, churches
Rule #1
The plural of nouns is usually formed by adding - s to a singular noun.
lamp
cat
fork
flower
pen
lamps
cats
forks
flowers
pens
Exercise: Write the plural of each of these nouns
chair
storm
owner
star
door
paper
farm
rock
cup
Rule #2
Nouns ending in s, z, x, sh, and ch form the plural by adding - es.
moss
buzz
box
dish
church
mosses
buzzes
boxes
dishes
churches
Exercise: Write the plural of each of these nouns
dress
wish
cross
ax
brush
class
bench
grass
hex
fox
bush
mantis
Special Note:
If you add - s to such nouns as fox, bush, and bench, you will find that you cannot
pronounce them without making an additional syllable. This is why such nouns form the
plural by adding - es.
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Quick Review
Exercise: Tell if the following nouns are singular or plural
box
cats
slipper
forks
books
chair
desk
houses
paper
wagon
lamps
shoes
garden
horses
dress
dog
carts
kitchen
pony
glass
Exercise: Write the plural of the following nouns
chair
star
pencil
girl
ax
bush
coat
tree
boy
bench
sketch
owner
touch
latch
Exercise: Write the singular of the following nouns
bells
churches
wagons
coals
clocks
boxes
kitchens
basins
days
houses
pencils
trees
mug
pictures
chairs
tables
Rule #3
Nouns ending in - y preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by changing - y to ies.
Examples: lady, ladies; city, cities; army, armies
Exercise: Write the plural
fly
baby
lady
beauty
city
sky
of the following words
pony
injury
story
history
duty
study
cherry
berry
theory
Rule #4
Nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel form their plurals by adding - s.
Example: boy, boys; day, days
Exercise: Write the plural of the following words
day
toy
essay
turkey
play
joy
valley
alley
chimney
volley
Rule #5
Most nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by adding es.
Example: hero; heroes; grotto, grottoes
Exercise: Write
motto
potato
mosquito*
buffalo*
the plural of the following words
calico
buffalo
hero
cargo
volcano
grotto
tomato
halo*
tornado*
portico*
veto
*may add - s or - es
The following are among those that add s only
canto
solo
piano
halo
memento
albino
lasso
sirocco
Special Note:
Most nouns ending in o preceded by a vowel is formed into a plural by adding - s.
Example: folio, folios; cameo; cameos; studio, studios; portfolio, portfolios
Rule #6
Some nouns ending in f or fe are made plural by changing f or fe to - ves.
Example: beef, beeves; wife, wives
Exercise: Write the plural
calf
self
loaf
shelf
elf
half
chief
dwarf*
of the following words
leaf
sheaf
half
wolf
thief
wife
proof
turf
life
knife
gulf
The following form their plurals by adding - s.
chief, chiefs
fife, fifes
mischief, mischiefs
roof, roofs
grief, griefs
kerchief, kerchiefs
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IRREGULAR PLURALS
man, men
woman, women
child, children
foot, feet
tooth, teeth
ox, oxen
mouse, mice
louse, lice
goose, geese
hoof, hoofs
safe, safes
The following nouns have no singular:
scissors
trousers
cattle
victuals
oats
pinchers
shears
tweezers
tongs
bellows
measles
vespers
dregs
snuffers
mumps
Some nouns are always singular. Some of these nouns may be used in the plural when
different kinds are meant as sugars, coffees, cottons
gold
molasses
silver
copper
wheat
sugar
Singular nouns use this and that.
Plural nouns use these and those.
corn
cotton