Learning Plural Nouns
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English for Kids
Plural nouns represent more than one of something. They indicate that there are two or more of the noun you’re referring to. This is one of the most basic grammatical distinctions in English.
A singular noun names just one person, place, thing, or idea. A plural noun names more than one.
Singular Noun:
Refers to one.
Examples:
person: a boy, a teacher, a doctor
place: a house, a city, a park
thing: a book, a car, an idea
idea: a thought, a dream, a concept
Plural Noun:
Refers to more than one (two or more).
Examples:
people: boys, teachers, doctors
places: houses, cities, parks
things: books, cars, ideas
ideas: thoughts, dreams, concepts
How Plural Nouns Are Formed:
- Most plural nouns are formed by adding “-s” to the end of the singular noun.
book → books
car → cars
tree → trees
Make plural nouns by adding s
However, there are several other rules and exceptions:
-
Adding -es: Used for words ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z
bus → buses
dish → dishes
Make plural nouns by adding es -
Changing -y to -ies:
Words ending in a consonant + y
baby → babies
city → cities
Words ending in vowel + -y: Simply add “-s”.
boy → boys
day → days
Plural nouns for words ending in y -
Changing -f or -fe to -ves: Used for some words ending in -f or -fe
leaf → leaves
wife → wives
However, some words just add “-s”.
chief → chiefs
Plural nouns for words ending in f or fe -
Words ending in -o: Generally add “-es,” but some words just add “-s.” There’s no perfect rule, so memorization is often necessary.
potato → potatoes
photo → photos
Plural nouns for words ending in o -
Irregular plurals: These don’t follow any specific rules and must be memorized
man → men
child → children
No change: Some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural
sheep, deer, fish
Irregular plural nouns
The following diagram shows a summary of rules to change singular nouns to plural nouns. Scroll down the page for more examples.
Why are plural nouns important? Plural nouns are essential for clear and accurate communication in English. They help us to:
- Indicate quantity: They tell us whether we are talking about one or more than one of something.
- Form grammatically correct sentences: Using the correct plural form is crucial for subject-verb agreement and other grammatical structures.
- Understanding and using plural nouns correctly is a fundamental part of English grammar.
Singular and Plural Nouns | Learn the Rules to Make Plurals
Plural Nouns in English | Regular & Irregular Plural Nouns | Plurals Spelling
Regular nouns adding -s to the end.
Nouns ending in s, ch, sh, x, and z (adding -es to the end)
Nouns ending in f or fe (the -ves rule)
Nouns ending in a vowel + y (add -s to the end)
Nouns ending in a consonant + y (the -ies rule)
Nouns ending in a vowel + o (add -s to the end)
Nouns ending in a consonant + o (the -es rule)
Irregular nouns that do not end in s in their plural form (e.g. child)
Nouns that remain the same in singular and plural form (e.g. sheep)
| Plural Nouns | ||
|---|---|---|
| Plural Nouns, add -s | Plural Nouns, add -es | Words ending with y |
| Words ending with f or fe | Words ending with o | Irregular Plural Nouns |
| Summary of Plural Nouns | ||
| Other Digraphs | ||
|---|---|---|
| AR Sound | Er,Ir,Ur | OR Sound |
| Ar,Er,Ir,Or,Ur | Ou, Ow | Oi, Oy |
| OO Sound | ||
Free Printable Worksheets for Consonant Digraphs
These worksheets focus on the consonant digraphs: ch, sh, th, qu and ng.
| Printable Worksheets (Consonant Digraphs) | |
|---|---|
|
Learning "ch" |
Learning "sh" |
|
Learning "th" |
Learning "qu" |
|
Learning "ng" |
|
Free Printable Worksheets for Digraphs
| Printable Worksheets (EE, OO, OU, OI, AW) | |
|---|---|
|
EE Words |
OO Words |
|
OI Words |
AW Words |
Learn the sound of the letters
Learning Short Vowels
| Short Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Short A | Short E | Short I |
| Short O | Short U | Short Vowels |
Learning Long Vowels
| Long Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Long A | Long E | Long I |
| Long O | Long U | Y (vowel) |
| Long Vowels | Short & Long Vowels | |
Compare Short & Long Vowels
| Short & Long Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Short & Long A | Short & Long E | Short & Long I |
| Short & Long O | Short & Long U | |
Learning Consonants
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