Podcast
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-.
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?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the plural form of the compound noun 'looker-on'?
Signup and view all the answers
Give an example of a noun that forms its plural by changing the root vowel.
Signup and view all the answers
Name a noun that forms its plural in -en-.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the plural form of the uncountable noun 'dust'?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for a noun that appears only in the singular form?
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
