Plurals Nouns, add -es

The most common way to form the plural of a noun is by adding “-s” to the end. However, for words ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, we add -es to form the plural.

Adding “-es” to words ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -z

1. Words ending in -s:
   bus → buses
   lens → lenses
   plus → pluses
   

2. Words ending in -ss:
   boss → bosses
   class → classes
   dress → dresses
   glass → glasses
   miss → misses
   

3. Words ending in -sh:
   brush → brushes
   bush → bushes
   dish → dishes
   wash → washes
   

4. Words ending in -ch:
   arch → arches
   beach → beaches
   coach → coaches
   inch → inches
   Exception: If the -ch sounds like a -k as in stomach add an -s.
   stomach → stomachs
   

5. Words ending in -x:
   box → boxes
   fox → foxes
   tax → taxes
   

6. Words ending in -z:
   Sometimes you need to double the z before adding -es
   quiz → quizzes

The following diagram shows some examples of adding es to form the plural of a noun. Scroll down the page for more examples.

 

Rules for forming plural of nouns
The most common way to form the plural of a noun is by adding “-s” to the end.
cat → cats
dog → dogs
book → books
Make plural nouns by adding s

Words ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z: Add “-es” to form the plural.
This is because adding just “-s” would make the word difficult to pronounce.
bus → buses
dress → dresses
Make plural nouns by adding es

Words ending in consonant + -y: Change the “y” to “-ies”.
baby → babies
story → stories
Words ending in vowel + -y: Simply add “-s”.
boy → boys
day → days
Plural nouns for words ending in y

Words ending in -f or -fe: In many cases, change the “f” or “fe” to “-ves”. However, some words just add “-s”.
leaf → leaves
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:
Some nouns have irregular plural forms that don’t follow any of the above rules. These must be memorized.
man → men
child → children
foot → feet
ox → oxen
Nouns with the Same Singular and Plural Form:
Some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural.
sheep
deer
Irregular plural nouns

Spelling Rules | Adding ’es’ to Words
Learn when to add s and when to add es to words with this easy to remember spelling rule.

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Adding “S” & “ES” to Words
Let’s learn about phonics and the different sounds each letter can make! “S” and “ES” are special letters that can make one thing turn into multiple things.

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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)

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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

Consonants
Letter B	Hard C	Soft C
Letter D	Letter F	Hard G
Soft G	Letter H	Letter J
Letter K	Letter L	Letter M
Letter N	Letter P	Letter Q
Letter R	Letter S	Letter T
Letter V	Letter W	Letter X
Letter Y	Letter Z

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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