The plural of nouns in English
1. Regular Plural Forms
1.1. How to form the plural
We form the plural by adding -s to the singular of the noun.
Singular |
Plural |
a car |
two cars |
a cassette |
two cassettes |
a lamp |
two lamps |
a hat |
two hats |
a cup |
two cups |
1.2. Nouns ending in sibilants
Add -es. Add -s if the noun ends in one -e.
Singular |
Plural |
a box |
two boxes |
a sandwich |
two sandwiches |
a suitcase |
two suitcases |
a rose |
two roses |
a garage |
two garages |
1.3. Nouns ending in -y
1.3.1. y after consonant
Change -y to -i, then add -es.
Singular |
Plural |
a city |
two cities |
a lady |
two ladies |
There are two forms of the plural of the word penny:
- pennies → You refer to the single coins.
- pence →You refer to the price (how much sth. is).
1.3.2. y after vowel
Add -s after a vowel.
Singular |
Plural |
a boy |
two boys |
a day |
two days |
1.4. Nouns ending in -f or -fe
1.4.1. Add -s
Singular |
Plural |
a roof |
two roofs |
a cliff |
two cliffs |
a sheriff |
two sheriffs |
1.4.2. Substitute with -ves
Singular |
Plural |
a thief |
two thieves |
a wife |
two wives |
a shelf |
two shelves |
Both forms are possible with the following nous:
- scarf → scarfs/scarves
- hoof → hoofs/hooves
Add -s for words ending in -ff.
1.5. Nouns ending in -o
1.5.1. Add -s
Singular |
Plural |
a disco |
two discos |
a piano |
two pianos |
a photo |
two photos |
1.5.2. Add -es
Singular |
Plural |
a tomato |
two tomatoes |
a potato |
two potatoes |
a hero |
two heroes |
Both forms are possible with the following nous:
- buffalo → buffalos/buffaloes
- mosquito → mosquitos/mosquitoes
- tornado → tornados/tornadoes
2. Irregular Plural Forms
Singular |
Plural |
a man |
two men |
a woman |
two women |
a child |
two children |
a mouse |
two mice |
a tooth |
two teeth |
a goose |
two geese |
a foot |
two feet |
an ox |
two oxen |