Teacher JacobForming Plurals
Forming the Plural Forms of Nouns
Learning Objective: At the end of the session, the students are expected to be able to familiarize the correct way of forming the plural forms of nouns.
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---- lamps
cat ---- cats
fork ---- forks
flower ---- flowers
pen ---- pens
Rule #2
Nouns ending in s, z, x, sh, and ch form the plural by adding - es.
moss ---- mosses
buzz---- buzzes
box ---- boxes
dish ---- dishes
church ---- churches
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.
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
Rule #4
Nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel form their plurals by adding - s.
Example: boy, boys; day, days
Rule #5
Most nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by adding es.
Example: hero; heroes; grotto, grottoes
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
The following form their plurals by adding - s. http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/jacob/roofs.jpg
chief, chiefs fife, fifes mischief, mischiefs hoof, hoofs roof, roofs grief, griefs kerchief, kerchiefs safe, safes
Practice Test.