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Nouns and articles, part 2 of 4
English Plurals: How to Form the Regular Plural
Most nouns add -s (cat, cats); nouns ending in s, sh, ch, or x add -es (boxes), and consonant + y becomes -ies (city, cities).
The idea
What the plural is
It is the form for more than one. It is almost always an -s at the end; only the spelling changes in two cases.
- Almost always -s. one cat, two cats.
- Two spelling rules. S, sh, ch, x: -es (boxes); consonant + y: -ies (cities).
- The adjective stays. Only the noun changes: two red cars.
When to use it
To talk about more than one thing: what you buy, what you have, what you see. These expressions go with it:
With numbers
- two dollars
- three days
- ten minutes
- five years
At home
- the stairs
- my glasses
- the lights
- the dishes
Always plural
- jeans
- pants
- scissors
- pajamas
Examples
- What you have
I have two cats.
- With -es
Put the boxes in the car.
- With -ies
Big cities are noisy.
- Vowel + y
Kids love toys.
- Ordering
Three tacos, please.
How to build it
4 steps
- Look at how the word endsThe last letter decides:cat / box / city
- Usually, add -sThat is the rule for most nouns:cats
- S, sh, ch, x, or z: add -esSo the final s can be said:boxes
- Consonant + y: -iesThe y becomes i; with a vowel + y, just -s:cities / boys
Plural
- numberThree
- noun + -s / -esbuses
- rest of the sentencestop here.
How to spell the plural
Look at the last letter
- carcars
- phonephones
- friendfriends
- dishdishes
- watchwatches
- boxboxes
- babybabies
- partyparties
- storystories
- daydays
- keykeys
- toytoys
The rule
How the plural sounds
| Sounds like | After | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| /s/ | p, t, k, f | cups, hats, books |
| /z/ | most other sounds | dogs, keys, phones |
| /ɪz/ (one more syllable) | s, sh, ch, x, z | buses, dishes, boxes |
How to pronounce it
cats
/kæts/One syllable: /kæts/.
boxes
/ˈbɑksɪz/The -es adds a syllable: /ɪz/.
cities
/ˈsɪt̬iz/In American English the t sounds like a quick d, and the s buzzes.
boys
/bɔɪz/The final s buzzes: /z/.
Check
One baby, two (blank). Which one is it?
Don't confuse it with irregular plurals
two cars
Car: add -s
two men
Man: changes to men
Almost every noun adds -s, but a few change form: not mans or childs.
Part 3: irregular pluralsIn real life
In fast speech the -s is easy to miss, but the -es in buses or boxes adds a syllable: say it, and people hear the plural.
Frequently asked questions
What is the plural of tomato and photo?
Tomato and potato add -es (tomatoes, potatoes), but photo and piano add just -s (photos, pianos). You learn the ones ending in o one by one.
Why are jeans and pants always plural?
Because they have two equal parts, one for each leg. They take are (My jeans are new), and to count them you say a pair of jeans.
Does a noun go plural after a number?
Yes, from two up: two dogs, ten minutes. With one it is singular (one dog), and with zero it is plural: zero dollars.
How do you talk about a whole family?
With the and -s or -es: the Lopezes, the Smiths.
In short
- Most nouns add -s: cats, books.
- S, sh, ch, x, or z: -es, one more syllable (boxes).
- Consonant + y: -ies (cities); vowel + y: just -s (boys).
- Adjectives have no plural: two big boxes.