The More the Merrier: Plurals

1. The More the Merrier: Plurals To make a singular noun plural, you just need to add an –s, right? Actually, it is not quite that simple! Of course, many words do simply require an –s (e.g. book becomes books, dog becomes dogs). However, there are exceptions. Lots of them: If a word already ends with: an –s or with an –x or –z sound or a –ch or –sh or with a –y preceded by a consonant We normally add –es (and turn any spare –y into an –i) If a word ends with an –o (e.g. potato), we sometimes add an –esbut not always (e.g. disco) If a word ends with –f of –fe(e.g. leaf or wife) – but not a double –ffwe often take off these endings and replace them with –ves. At other times we simply add an –s (as in belief) while a few words can be pluralised either way (e.g. dwarf).

2. Plurals can be very difficult to understand and unfortunately there will always be some words that the rules don’t apply to. • The best way to learn is through practice. • On the next slide there are several singular words that need turning into plurals. As a form, have a go.

3. Buffalo • Chief • Church • Cliff • Dish • Dress • Fax • Fish • Hoof • Key • Lady • Life • Proof • Scarf • Solo • Thief • Tomato • Torch • Waltz • Zoo • Buffaloes • Chiefs • Churches • Cliffs • Dishes • Dresses • Faxes • Fish or Fishes • Hoofs or Hooves • Keys • Ladies • Lives • Proofs • Scarf or Scarves • Solos • Thieves • Tomatoes • Torches • Waltzes • Zoos