Nouns / Easy lesson

Number of Nouns

1. Number shows whether one is meant, or more than one.



2. There are two Numbers : --

The Singular Number

The Plural Number

The Singular number denotes only one object.



boy,



The Plural number denotes more than one object.



boys, s.



The Plural is generally formed by adding s to the Singular :

pen pens chair chairs

book books garden gardens

When the noun ends in s, x, ch, or sh, the Plural is formed by adding es to the Singular : -

glass glasses watch watches

box boxes dish dishes

If the noun ends in y, and the y has consonant going before it, the Plural is formed by changing y into ies : -

duty duties army armies

fly flies lady ladies

But if the y has vowel going before it, the Plural is formed by simply adding s : --

day days key keys

boy boys monkey monkeys

Most nouns ending in f or fe form the Plural by changing f or fe into ves

calf calves life lives

knife knives wife wives

leaf leaves thief thieves

If the noun ends in o, and the o is preceded by a consonant, the Plural is generally ( not always ) formed by adding es to the Singular : --

cargo cargoes negro negroes

hero heroes potato potatoes

But if the o is preceded by a vowel, the Plural is formed by simply adding s to the singular : --

bamboo bamboos curio curios

cuckoo cuckoos studio studios

Some nouns from their Plurals irregularly :

man men tooth teeth

woman women mouse mice

foot feet ox oxen

goose geese child children

Some Nouns have the same from in the Plural as in the Singular : -

deer deer fish fish ( fishes )

sheep sheep dozen dozen ( dozens )