Plurals

Pluralizing Nouns and Verbs

Pluralizing Nouns

The plural form of a noun is the form a noun takes when it refers to more than one item—for example, apple is singular while apples is plural. In the English language, there are many rules and exceptions for pluralizing nouns. 

If you are unsure about the correct plural form of a noun, it is best to consult a dictionary. We will address some of the most common pluralization rules below.

The most common way to pluralize a noun is to add -s to the end. 

• girl – girls
• tree – trees
• the Walker family – the Walkers

When a noun ends in -ss, -x, -ch, -sh, or -z, pluralize it by adding -es to the end.

• box – boxes
• ditch – ditches
• business – businesses
• the Jones family – the Joneses
• the Pérez family – the Pérezes

The most common way to pluralize a noun ending in -o is by adding -es to the end.

• tomato – tomatoes
• hero – heroes
• echo – echoes

Some nouns ending in -o are pluralized by adding -s to the end.

• video – videos
• piano – pianos
• soprano – sopranos

When a noun ends in a vowel and -y, pluralize it by adding -s to the end.

• toy – toys
• day – days
• monkey – monkeys

When a noun ends in a consonant and -y, pluralize it by removing the -y and adding -ies to the end.

• city – cities
• body – bodies
• family – families

The most common way to pluralize a noun ending in -f or -fe is by removing the -f or -fe and adding -ves to the end.

• knife – knives
• roof – rooves
• wolf – wolves

Some nouns ending in -f or -fe are pluralized by adding -s to the end.

• serif – serifs
• gaffe – gaffes

Some nouns have irregular plural forms. Memorize such words or refer to a dictionary for assistance.

• child – children
• man – men
• woman – women
• mouse – mice
• crisis – crises
• syllabus – syllabi

Some nouns do not change spelling when pluralized.

• deer – deer
• moose – moose

Some nouns may be pluralized in different ways depending on the intended meaning.

• person – people (referring to more than one person)
• person – persons (referring to distinct individuals who should not be grouped together)
• people – peoples (referring to distinct groups of people)
   
• fish – fish (referring to more than one fish)
• fish – fishes (referring to distinct groups of fish)
   
• mouse – mice (referring to more than one rodent)
• mouse – mouses (referring to more than one computer mouse)

Some nouns may be pluralized in different ways if they are loan words from another language. In such cases, all are considered valid.

• persona – personas or personae
• cactus – cactuses or cacti
• stadium – stadiums or stadia
• octopus – octopuses, octopi, or octopodes
• mosquito – mosquitos or mosquitoes

When pluralizing a compound noun, pluralize the main noun, which is not always the first or last word in the word group. Refer to a dictionary for assistance when needed.

• secretary of state – secretaries of state
• father-in-law – fathers-in-law
• surgeon general – surgeons general
• nurse practitioner – nurse practitioners

When using a foreign compound noun or phrase from another language, pluralize the noun or phrase by adding -s to the end.

• mise en place – mise en places
• ne plus ultra – ne plus ultras

Pluralizing Verbs

Verbs can also be pluralized. The verb in a predicate must match forms with the noun in a subject. this is known as subject-verb agreement. When the noun in a subject is singular, the verb in the predicate should be singular. When the noun in a subject is plural, the verb in the predicate should be plural.

If you are unsure about the correct form of a verb, it is best to consult a dictionary.

The most common way to make a verb singular is by adding -s to the end.

• The child runs.
• The knight seizes the castle.

When a verb ends in -ss, -x, -ch, -sh, -o, or -z, make it singular by adding -es to the end.

• Annie goes to the bank.
• The professor teaches.
• The evil witch hexes the prince.
• The security officer buzzes me in.

When a verb ends in a vowel and -y, make it singular by adding -s to the end.

• The child plays with a doll.
• The loud truck annoys me.

When a verb ends in a consonant and -y, make it singular by removing the -y and adding -ies to the end.

• The pilot flies around the world.
• The mother worries about her child.

The most common way to make a verb plural is by leaving it unchanged from its base form.

• The children run.
• The professors teach.

Some verbs have irregular singular and plural forms. Memorize such words or refer to a dictionary for assistance.

• To be a college student is a wonderful opportunity.
• Aiden is a college student.
• Pam, Aiden, and Lex are college students.