REGULAR AND I RREGULAR REGULAR AND I RREGULAR PLURAL NOUNSPLURAL NOUNSPLURAL NOUNSPLURAL NOUNS

By: Dr. Shadia Y. Banjar http://www.kau.edu.sa/SBANJER http:/ /wwwdrshadiabanjar.blogspot.com

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FORM

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(Add –s to the end of noun)The plural of most nouns is formed by adding final –s.The plural of most nouns is formed by adding final –s.

cup cupsstudent studentssong songssong songs

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Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

table girl

(Add –s to the end of noun)

girlsstabless

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Add –esto a singular noun that ends with s, z , x, ch, or sh.ends with s, z , x, ch, or sh.

glass glassesglass glasses

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Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

fox foxes

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Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

lunch lunches

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Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

dish dishes

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If a noun ends in a consonant + -y, change the y to an i and add –es.change the y to an i and add –es.

babyy babiesiesbabyy babiesies

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Some nouns end in -o need –es to form the plural.

Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

Some nouns end in -o need –es to form the plural.

tomatoo tomatoeses potatpotatoo potatoeses

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Some nouns end in -o need only –s to form the plural.

Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

photphotoo photoeses

Some nouns end in -o need only –s to form the plural.

kangaroosskangarokangarooophotphotoo photoeses kangaroosskangarokangarooo

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Some nouns end in –f/ -fe are

Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

kniknifefe kniveses

Some nouns end in –f/ -fe are changed to –ves to form the plural.

thievessthiethieffkniknifefe kniveses thievessthiethieff

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Some nouns end in -f simply need

Plural (nouns)Plural (nouns)

roofss

Some nouns end in -f simply need only –s to form the plural.

roorooff roofss

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Pronunciation of pluralsPronunciation of plurals(s / (s / eses))A. Final –sis pronounced / z/ after voiced soundsA. Final –sis pronounced / z/ after voiced sounds

(taxicabs, beds, dogs, balls, years, days, boys, trees, etc.)

B. Final –s is pronounced /s/ after voiceless soundsB. Final –s is pronounced /s/ after voiceless sounds(books, cups, groups, cats, students, desks, etc.)

C. Final –s, es is pronounced / ez/C. Final –s, es is pronounced / ez/after “s” sounds (classes, horses, boxes, faces)after “z” sounds (sizes, roses, noises)after “z” sounds (sizes, roses, noises)after “sh” sounds (dishes, bushes)after “ch” sounds (matches, sandwiches)after “ge/ dge” sounds (pages, ages, bridges, edges)after “ge/ dge” sounds (pages, ages, bridges, edges)

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Some nouns have irregular plural forms that do not end in -s.

childchild

children

oxen

children

oxox

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• Man men• Woman women• Woman women• Child children• Ox Oxen• Foot feet• Foot feet• Mouse mice• Tooth teeth• Fish fish• _____ people(is always plural) (no s)

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(is always plural) (no s)

Some nouns have the same singular and plural forms.singular and plural forms.

Two fish

One sheepOne sheep One fishOne fish

Two sheep

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Some nouns that English has borrowed from other languages borrowed from other languages

have foreign plurals.

criterion criteriacriterion criteriacriterion criteriacriterion criteriafungus fungifungus fungivertebra vertebraevertebra vertebraevertebra vertebraevertebra vertebraeappendix appendices/ appendixes appendix appendices/ appendixes analysis analyses analysis analyses medium mediamedium media

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