Regular Plurals
Rules for forming plural nouns in English
Regular Plurals
| Pattern | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| + s | Most nouns: add -s | |
| + es | Nouns ending in -s, -x, -z, -ch, -sh: add -es | |
| y → ies | Nouns ending in consonant + y: change y to -ies | |
| f/fe → ves | Nouns ending in -f or -fe: change to -ves | |
| o + es | Some nouns ending in -o: add -es |
FAQ
What are the rules for making English nouns plural?
Most English nouns add -s to form the plural. Nouns ending in -s, -x, -z, -ch, or -sh add -es. Nouns ending in consonant + y change y to -ies. Nouns ending in -f or -fe change to -ves. Some nouns ending in -o add -es.
What are irregular plural nouns?
Irregular plural nouns don't follow standard rules. Common examples include man/men, woman/women, child/children, foot/feet, tooth/teeth, mouse/mice, and person/people.
Which English nouns have the same singular and plural form?
Some nouns are unchanged in plural form, including sheep, fish, deer, species, series, and aircraft. These are called zero-plural or invariable nouns.
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