1.3: Regular Plural Nouns

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SUNY/Lumen Learning
SUNY and Lumen Learning

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men wearing suits A plural noun indicates that there is more than one of that noun (while a singular noun indicates that there is just one of the noun). Most plural forms are created by simply adding an -s or –es to the end of the singular word. For example, there’s one dog (singular), but three dogs (plural). However, English has both regular and irregular plural nouns. Regular plurals follow this rule (and other similar rules), but irregular plurals are, well, not regular and don’t follow a “standard” rule.

Let’s start with regular plurals: regular plural nouns use established patterns to indicate there is more than one of a thing.

Recognize nouns marked with plural form –s.

As was mentioned earlier, we add the plural suffix –s to most words:

cat → cats
bear → bears
zebra → zebras

However, after sounds s, z, sh, ch, and j, we add the plural suffix –es:

class → classes
sash → sashes
fox → foxes

Some words that end in z also double their ending consonant, like quizzes.

Practice

Do you know how to spell the plurals for the following words?

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
book	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	peach	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
chair	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	buzz	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
picture	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	watch	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]

[reveal-answer q=”245001″]Show Answer[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”245001″]

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
book	books	peach	peaches
chair	chairs	buzz	buzzes
picture	pictures	watch	watches

[/hidden-answer]

After the letter o.

We also add the plural suffix –es to most words that end in o:

potato → potatoes
hero → heroes
mosquito → mosquitoes

However, when the words have a foreign origin (e.g.,Latin, Greek, Spanish), we just add the plural suffix –s

taco → tacos
avocado → avocados
maestro → maestros

Note: While you won’t be expected to know which words have a foreign origin, being familiar with (or memorizing) some common words that use this plural can be really helpful. And remember, if you’re ever in doubt, the dictionary is there for you!

Practice

What are the correct plurals for the following words?

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
solo	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	portfolio	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
veto	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	memo	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
echo	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	radio	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
avocado	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	zero	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
studio	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	potato	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]

[reveal-answer q=”245002″]Show Answer[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”245002″]

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
solo	solos	portfolio	portfolios
veto	vetoes	memo	memos
echo	echoes	radio	radios
avocado	avocados	zero	zeroes
studio	studios	potato	potatoes

[/hidden-answer]

After –y and –f, –fe

When a word ends in y and there is a consonant before y, we change the y to i and add –es.

sky → skies
candy → candies
lady → ladies

However, if the y follows another vowel, you simply add an –s.

alloy → alloys
donkey → donkeys
day → days

Practice

What are the correct plurals for the following words?

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
supply	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	key	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
fly	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	play	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
ally	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	boy	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]

[reveal-answer q=”245003″]Show Answer[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”245003″]

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
supply	supplies	key	keys
flies	fries	play	plays
ally	allies	boy	boys

[/hidden-answer]

When a word ends in –f or –fe, we change the f to v and add –es.

leaf → leaves
life → lives
calf → calves

However, if there are two terminal fs or if you still pronounce the f in the plural, then you simply add an –s:

cliff → cliffs
chief → chiefs
reef → reefs

Practice

What are the correct plurals for the following words?

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
wolf	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	self	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
sheaf	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	roof	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]
knife	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]	thief	[practice-area rows=”1″][/practice-area]

[reveal-answer q=”245004″]Show Answer[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”245004″]

Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
wolf	wolves	self	selves
sheaf	sheaves	roof	roofs
knife	knives	thief	thieves

[/hidden-answer]

Contributors and Attributions

Regular Plural Nouns. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution

Image of two men. Authored by: Gregor Cresnar. Provided by: The Noun Project. Located at: https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=people&i=176708. License: CC BY: Attribution