How do you make any word into the plural form? The most common way is just to add the letter -s to the end of the word. However, the English language is full of exceptions to every rule, especially this one. Here are examples of basic plural forms of nouns:
- Cat becomes cats
- Laptop becomes laptops
- Blanket becomes blankets
Forming the Plural of Nouns Ending in the Letters S, Z, CH, SH and X
Nouns that end in the letters s, z, ch, sh and x cannot be made plural by simply adding the letter s. This is primarily because the sound would not flow easily by having two hissing sounds next to each other. Therefore, adding the letter e before the plural s creates a new sound, easier to say and understand. Note that if a word ends in a single letter z, add another z before the letters es to make it plural.
- Boss becomes bosses
- Quiz becomes quizzes
- Leach becomes leaches
- Dish becomes dishes
- Box becomes boxes
Forming the Plural of Nouns Ending in the Letter O
Nouns that end in the letter o are some of the trickiest of all to make plural. Depending on the word, you either add just the letter s or the letters es. Unfortunately, there is no simple way to remember which o-ending words require -s and which ones require -es. Here are a few helpful hints, though:
- Generally, for nouns older to the English language, add -es (potatoes, heroes).
- Generally, for nouns that end in a vowel + o, just add -s (radios, kangaroos).
- Generally, for nouns that are shorter forms of longer words, just add -s (photos, typos).
- Generally, for proper nouns, just add -s (Eskimos, Latinos).
- Generally, for nouns acquired from another language, just add -s (tacos, stilettos).
- Generally, for nouns newer to the English language, just add -s (casinos, torsos).
Still, other nouns that end in the letter -o can be made plural by adding either -es or -s. This is what makes English a frustrating language to understand.
Forming the Plural of Nouns Ending in the Letter Y
Nouns that end in the letter y are usually formed by dropping the letter y and adding the letters ies. When the noun ends in a vowel + y, however, simply add the letter s to form the plural.
- Fly becomes flies
- Party becomes parties
- Key becomes keys
- Toy becomes toys
While some of the rules may seem illogical, these are actually the "regular" plural noun forms. With a bit of practice, forming the plural of nouns will become more natural, though most English writers still have to look up the occasional regular plural version of a noun.
Megan B. Wyatt - Megan B. Wyatt has a BA in English, edits fiction manuscripts and currently works as an entertainment reporter in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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