English Grammar: Noun Number
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Questions and Answers

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-.

<p>Bus</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what cases is the plural form of a noun formed by simply adding -s to the singular form?

<p>When the final -y- is preceded by a vowel</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the plural form of the compound noun 'looker-on'?

<p>lookers-on</p> Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a noun that forms its plural by changing the root vowel.

<p>tooth_teeth</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name a noun that forms its plural in -en-.

<p>ox_oxen</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the plural form of the uncountable noun 'dust'?

<p>dust</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a noun that appears only in the singular form?

<p>singularia tantum</p> Signup and view all the answers

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.

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Description

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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