10 Questions
What is the productive formal mark for the plural form of a noun?
-s /- z, -s, - iz/
How is the plural form of a noun ending in -y- preceded by a consonant formed?
By changing -y- into -i- before adding -es-
What is the rule for forming the plural of a noun ending in -o- preceded by a consonant?
By adding -es- to the singular form
Give an example of a noun ending in -s that forms its plural by adding -es-.
Bus
In what cases is the plural form of a noun formed by simply adding -s to the singular form?
When the final -y- is preceded by a vowel
What is the plural form of the compound noun 'looker-on'?
lookers-on
Give an example of a noun that forms its plural by changing the root vowel.
tooth_teeth
Name a noun that forms its plural in -en-.
ox_oxen
What is the plural form of the uncountable noun 'dust'?
dust
What is the term for a noun that appears only in the singular form?
singularia tantum
Study Notes
Plural Forms of Nouns
- The productive formal mark for the plural form of a noun is -s, but there are many exceptions and irregularities.
Nouns Ending in -y-
- When a noun ends in -y- preceded by a consonant, the plural form is formed by changing the -y- to -ies-, unless the noun ends in a vowel + -y-.
Nouns Ending in -o-
- The plural form of a noun ending in -o- preceded by a consonant is formed by adding -es-, unless the noun ends in -co-, -go-, or -photo-, in which case the plural form is formed by adding -s-.
Nouns Ending in -s-
- The plural form of a noun ending in -s- is formed by adding -es-, such as in the noun 'bus', which becomes 'buses' in the plural form.
Regular Plural Forms
- The plural form of a noun is formed by simply adding -s to the singular form, unless the noun ends in -s-, -z-, -sh-, -ch-, or -x-, in which case the plural form is formed by adding -es-.
Compound Nouns
- The plural form of the compound noun 'looker-on' is 'lookers-on'.
Nouns with Vowel Changes
- An example of a noun that forms its plural by changing the root vowel is 'man', which becomes 'men' in the plural form.
Nouns Ending in -en-
- An example of a noun that forms its plural by adding -en- is 'ox', which becomes 'oxen' in the plural form.
Uncountable Nouns
- The plural form of the uncountable noun 'dust' does not exist, as it is an uncountable noun.
Singularia Tantum
- A noun that appears only in the singular form is called a singularia tantum.
Test your knowledge of noun number in English grammar with this quiz. Explore singular and plural forms, as well as the rules for adding suffixes to nouns.
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