Singular / Plural

What are Singular and Plural Nouns?

• Singular means one. (Just one thing!)
• Plural means more than one. (Two, three, or even a million things!) When we have more than one of something, the word usually changes its ending to show that the group is bigger.

The Main Rules for Plurals Most of the time, changing a word from singular to plural is like adding a "tail" to the end of the word.

1. Just Add "s" This is the most common rule. If you have more than one, just put an -s at the end.

• Singular: 1 apple 🍎
• Plural: 2 apples 🍎🍎

2. Add "es" If a word ends in a "hissing" or "buzzing" sound, we add -es so it's easier to say. Look for words ending in: -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z.

• Bus Buses
• Dish Dishes
• Box Boxes

3. The "y" to "ies" Rule If a word ends in a consonant and a -y, we drop the "y" and add -ies.

• Candy Candies
• Puppy Puppies

Irregular Plurals (The Rule Breakers) Some words are "rebels" and don't follow the -s or -es rules. They change their whole look!

How to Tell the Difference

• Listen for the Ending: Do you hear a "sss" or "zzz" sound at the end of the word? That's a clue it might be plural.
• Look for Numbers: Words like "many," "few," "three," or "some" usually come before a plural noun.

Why Do We Learn This?

• Accuracy: It helps people know exactly how many things you are talking about.
• Smooth Reading: Knowing these endings helps you read faster because you recognize the "root" word quickly.

Lesson Summary

• Singular = 1
• Plural = 2+
• Most plurals end in -s or -es.
• Some special words change completely (like Man to Men).