Plural Forms of Nouns
One cat = singular. Two cats = plural. A noun is a word for a person, place or thing. We change the end of most nouns to make the plural.
Structure
- Add -s: most nouns. Example: cat → cats, dog → dogs.
- Add -es: nouns that end in -s, -x, -sh or -ch (like the end of watch). Example: bus → buses, box → boxes, dish → dishes, watch → watches. One exception: stomach → stomachs. Some nouns that end in -z double the z: quiz → quizzes.
- Letter + y → -ies: if the letter before -y is not a, e, i, o or u, change y to ies. Example: baby → babies (b + y).
- Vowel + y → -s: if the letter before -y is a, e, i, o or u, just add -s. Example: boy → boys (o + y), day → days.
- -f or -fe → -ves: some nouns change. Example: knife → knives. Not all nouns do this: roof → roofs.
- Special plurals: man → men, woman → women, child → children, person → people, foot → feet, tooth → teeth.
- Same plural: one sheep → two sheep, one fish → two fish.
How the Grammar Works
- Is the noun a special word (man, child, foot)? Use the special plural. Example: one child → two children.
- Does it end in -s, -x, -sh or -ch (like watch)? Add -es. Example: one box → two boxes.
- Does it end in a letter + y (not a, e, i, o, u)? Change y to ies. Example: one baby → two babies.
- Does it end in a, e, i, o or u + y? Add -s. Example: one boy → two boys.
- Is it none of these? Add -s. Example: one cat → two cats.
Common Use Cases
Use the plural for more than one person, place or thing.
- With numbers: She has three dogs.
- With some, many and these: I have some books.
- With There are: There are two knives on the table.
These rules are for things we can count. Words like water and rice usually do not take -s.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- babys → babies. The letter before -y is b, so change y to ies.
- childs → children. Child has a special plural.
- two book → two books. More than one noun needs -s.
- a books → books or some books. Do not use a with a plural noun.
Comparison with Related Grammar
Use a or an with one thing: a dog, an apple. Do not use them with plural nouns. Use a number or some instead: two dogs, some apples.
Example Sentences
I have two boxes.
The babies are happy.
Two men are here.
She has three dogs.
I like these watches.
My bags are here.
Two sheep are in the field.
When to Use This Rule
Use a plural noun when you talk about more than one thing. Check the end of the noun to choose the right form.