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Singular Noun Definition

There are several rules for forming the plural of nouns in English: 1) Most nouns form the plural by adding -s, like book to books. 2) Nouns ending in s, z, x, sh, ch add -es, like bush to bushes. 3) Nouns ending in a consonant + y change y to ies, like lady to ladies. 4) Nouns ending in a vowel + y just add -s, like boy to boys. 5) Most nouns ending in o add -es if preceded by a consonant, like hero to heroes. There are also irregular plurals and nouns that are always singular or

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214 views2 pages

Singular Noun Definition

There are several rules for forming the plural of nouns in English: 1) Most nouns form the plural by adding -s, like book to books. 2) Nouns ending in s, z, x, sh, ch add -es, like bush to bushes. 3) Nouns ending in a consonant + y change y to ies, like lady to ladies. 4) Nouns ending in a vowel + y just add -s, like boy to boys. 5) Most nouns ending in o add -es if preceded by a consonant, like hero to heroes. There are also irregular plurals and nouns that are always singular or

Uploaded by

Nurul Aini
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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.

Rule #2
Nouns ending in s, z, x, sh, and ch form the plural by adding - es.

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

*may add - s or - es

The following are among those that add s only  


 canto  solo  piano  lasso
 halo  memento  albino  sirocco  

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
 IRREGULAR PLURALS

 man, men  foot, feet  mouse, mice


 woman, women  tooth, teeth  louse, lice
 child, children  ox, oxen  goose, geese

The following nouns have no singular:

 scissors  oats  tongs  dregs


 trousers  pinchers  bellows  snuffers
 cattle  shears  measles  mumps
 victuals  tweezers  vespers  

Some nouns are always singular.  Some of these nouns may be used in the  plural when
different kinds are meant as sugars, coffees, cottons

 gold  silver  wheat  corn


 molasses  copper  sugar  cotton

Singular nouns use this and that.

Plural nouns use these and those

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