Regular Plurals: The Basics

In most cases, forming the plural of a noun in English is quite simple – just add an -s to the end of the singular form.

Examples:

• cat → cats
• dog → dogs
• house → houses

However, there are some important exceptions and specific rules to follow when forming plurals in English.

Plurals Ending in -s, -x, -z, -sh, and -ch

When a noun ends in one of these consonants, we add -es to form the plural.

Examples:

• bus → buses
• box → boxes
• quiz → quizzes
• dish → dishes
• church → churches

Plurals Ending in -y

When a noun ends in -y and is preceded by a consonant, we change the -y to -ies to form the plural.

Examples:

• baby → babies
• city → cities
• party → parties

However, if the noun ends in -y and is preceded by a vowel, simply add -s to form the plural.

Examples:

• toy → toys
• boy → boys
• valley → valleys

Irregular Plurals: Navigating the Exceptions

English is known for its irregularities, and plurals are no exception. Some nouns have irregular plurals that don’t follow the rules above. Here are some common examples:

Irregular Plurals with Unique Forms

Some nouns have completely unique plural forms that must be memorized.

Examples:

• man → men
• woman → women
• child → children
• tooth → teeth
• foot → feet

Plurals that Remain the Same

Some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural.

Examples:

• deer → deer
• sheep → sheep
• species → species

Plurals of Compound Nouns

For compound nouns, we typically form the plural by adding -s to the main noun within the compound.

Examples:

• mother-in-law → mothers-in-law
• passer-by → passers-by
• attorney general → attorneys general

However, some compound nouns simply take the regular plural form.

Examples:

• laptop → laptops
• keyboard → keyboards

Handling Plurals in Special Cases

In addition to regular and irregular plurals, there are a few special cases to be aware of when forming plurals in English.

Plurals of Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms

For abbreviations and acronyms, we typically add -s to form the plural, regardless of the final letter.

Examples:

• CD → CDs
• UFO → UFOs

However, for initialisms, we usually add -‘s to form the plural.

Examples:

• MP → MP’s
• NBA → NBA’s

Plurals of Numbers and Letters

When forming the plural of single numbers, letters, or symbols, we often add -‘s to clarify pronunciation.

Examples:

• 7 → 7’s
• A → A’s
• @ → @’s

In Summary

Mastering English plurals may require some memorization, but by understanding the rules and exceptions outlined in this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well on your way to using plurals confidently and accurately. Remember to practice and review, as well as expose yourself to authentic English materials, to reinforce your understanding of plural forms.

You can practice plural noun exercises here