Plurals

Singular means one of something.

Plural means more than one.

The rules for making plurals

1. We usually form plurals by adding -s.

2. Add -es to make the plural of words ending in -s, -x,
-ch, -sh, -ss, -zz.

Note

3. Words ending in -o: some take just -s, some take -es to form the plural.

Examples of -s

Examples of -es

4. Words ending in -y.

If there is a vowel before the y, just add -s.

If there is a consonant before the y, change the y to i and add -es.

5. Words ending in -fe and -f.

Words ending in -ff add an s.

Some words ending in -f need just an s.

Some words form the plural by changing the f to v and adding es.

A few words can take either form.

6. Irregular plurals

You should recognise these forms.

7. Foreign words

Some keep their original plural form.

Some forms are being 'modernised'.

8. Words which remain the same.

Some words do not change at all.