A singular noun refers to one thing. A plural noun refers to more than one.
Regular Plurals
Most nouns form the plural by adding -s:
| Singular | Plural | | -------- | ------ | | book | books | | dog | dogs | | table | tables |
Special Endings
| Ending | Rule | Singular | Plural | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------ | -------- | -------- | | -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -z | Add -es | box | boxes | | Consonant + y | Change y → i + -es | baby | babies | | Vowel + y | Add -s | toy | toys | | -f / -fe | Change to -ves | knife | knives | | -o | Usually add -es | potato | potatoes |
Irregular Plurals
Some nouns change form completely:
| Singular | Plural | | -------- | -------- | | man | men | | woman | women | | child | children | | tooth | teeth | | foot | feet | | mouse | mice |
Same Form
Some nouns stay the same in singular and plural:
- sheep → one sheep, two sheep
- fish → one fish, many fish
- deer → a deer, several deer