English Grammar: Nouns
Nouns — Plural Forms of Nouns
When a noun refers to one person or thing, it is singular in number. When a noun refers to more than one person or thing, it is plural in number. Nouns have special forms to show these distinctions, as you will see from the following illustrations:
The plurals of nouns are formed in a number of different ways. Since there are exceptions to almost every one of these methods, you should consult a reliable dictionary whenever you are in doubt regarding a correct plural form. You should also be familiar with the following methods of forming the plurals of nouns:
1. Most nouns add the letter s to the singular to form the plural.
2. Nouns ending in s, sh, ch, x, or z form the plural by adding es. The plural adds another syllable in the pronunciation.
3. Nouns ending in o preceded by a vowel add s. Musical terms ending in o add s.
Vowel Preceding "o"
Musical terms
Some nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant add s. Others add es. Some form the plural either way.
Add "s"
Add "es"
Add "s" or "es"
4. Nouns ending in y preceded by a consonant, change the y to i and add es.
5. Nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel, usually add s. In many cases the vowel before the final y is e.
6. Some nouns ending in f or fe change the f or the fe to v and add es. Some nouns ending in f have two plurals, one in s and one in ves. Some simply add s.
Add "s" or Change to "ves"
7. Some nouns form the plural by a change in the vowel.
8. Some nouns have the same form for both singular and plural.
9. The plurals of compound nouns are generally formed by adding s to the principal word in the compound.
Sometimes an s is added to the end of the compound. In that case, there is no important word in the compound.
Compounds ending in ful are made plural by adding s to the end of the compound. This rule applies when the same container is filled a number of times.
Six cups full of flour means that there are six separate cups, and that each one is filled with flour.
10. The plurals of proper names are formed By adding s or es.
There are three Ruths in this class.
The two Burnses left the hall.
The Joneses and the Smiths attended the banquet.
The two Marys are friends.
The spelling of proper names must not be changed. If we followed the rule for words ending in y in the case of Mary, we would change the y to i and add es.
The name would then be changed to Marie, for the plural would be Maries. The correct plural of Mary is Marys.
11. Foreign Plurals
Words taken from foreign languages usually retain their foreign plurals. Some of these words are used so commonly that they have acquired an English plural which is formed in the regular way; that is, by adding s or es to the singular.
12. The plural of numbers, letters, signs, and symbols is formed by adding the apostrophe and s.
Your 2's look like your 3's.
You must always cross your t's.
He received three A's and two B's last semester.
13. The following nouns are used only in the plural. You may find some of them used in the singular, but the general practice is to regard them as plural. When you are in doubt, consult the dictionary.
