How to make Plurals of Nouns

1. Regular Plural Forms

Most nouns make their plurals by simply adding –s to the end (e.g. cat/cats). Some do change their endings, though as you will see below.

1.1. How to form the plural

We form the plural by adding –s to the singular of the noun.

1.2. Nouns ending in sibilants

If the noun ends with -ch, -s, -sh, -x, or -z, add -es to form the plural or just –s if the noun ends in one -e.

1.3. Nouns ending in -y

1.3.1. y after consonant

If the noun ends with a consonant plus -y, make the plural by changing -y to -ies:

1.3.2. y after vowel

If the noun ends with a vowel plus -y, make the plural by just adding -s:

1.4. Nouns ending in -f or -fe

1.4.1. Nouns which end in two vowels plus -f usually form plurals in the normal way, with just an -s

1.4.2. With nouns that end in a consonant or a single vowel, change the -f or -fe to –ves:

Both forms are possible with the following nouns:

• scarf → scarfs/scarves
• hoof → hoofs/hooves

Add -s for words ending in -ff.

• cliff → cliffs
• sheriff → sheriffs

1.5. Nouns ending in -o

Nouns ending in -o can add either -s or -es in the plural, and some can be spelled either way.

• As a general rule, most nouns ending in -o add -s to make the plural:

1.5.1. Add -s

1.5.2. Here are some examples of nouns ending in -o that are always spelled with -es in the plural:

Both forms are possible with the following nouns:

• banjo → banjos/banjoes
• ghettos → ghettos/ghettoes
• mosquito → mosquitos/mosquitoes
• tornado → tornados/tornadoes
• volcano → volcanos /volcanoes

2. Irregular Plural Forms