Singular and plural forms of nouns.
Number shows whether a noun refers to one person, thing, place, or more than one. It is the grammatical category that distinguishes between singular and plural.
Refers to only one person, animal, place, or thing.
Refers to more than one person, animal, place, or thing.
Singular nouns usually take singular verbs.
Plural nouns usually take plural verbs.
Most plural nouns are formed by adding 's'.
Most English nouns simply add 's' to become plural.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Boy | Boys |
| Girl | Girls |
| Pen | Pens |
| Book | Books |
| Rat | Rats |
| Table | Tables |
| Chair | Chairs |
If a noun ends in these sounds, add 'es' to make it easier to pronounce.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Bus | Buses |
| Box | Boxes |
| Fox | Foxes |
| Bench | Benches |
| Bush | Bushes |
| Loss | Losses |
| Watch | Watches |
Many nouns ending in 'f' or 'fe' drop that ending and add 'ves'.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Leaf | Leaves |
| Knife | Knives |
| Life | Lives |
| Half | Halves |
| Calf | Calves |
| Self | Selves |
| Wife | Wives |
Some nouns change their inside vowel to become plural. These are irregular.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Man | Men |
| Woman | Women |
| Foot | Feet |
| Tooth | Teeth |
| Goose | Geese |
| Mouse | Mice |
| Louse | Lice |
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Deer | Deer |
| Sheep | Sheep |
| Fish | Fish |
| Species | Species |
| Series | Series |
| Singular (Meaning) | Plural (Meaning) |
|---|---|
Arm Body part | Arms Weapons |
Color Hue | Colors Flag |
Custom Habit | Customs Tax/Duty |