Numbers of Nouns

Numbers of Nouns

Numbers of Nouns

Number Nouns:

There are two types of nouns according to their number i.e. the singular and plural.

1. Singular Nouns

A noun that denotes one person, place or a thing is called a singular noun. As;

Bird, pen, book, chair,computer, etc

2. Plural Nouns

A noun that denotes more than one person, place or thing is called a plural noun. As;

Pens, desks, birds, trees, kites, etc.

How Plural are Formed

1. We usually make singular nouns plural by adding ‘s’ to the singular nouns.

SingularPlural
ArmArms
AuntAunts
AntAnts
BagBags
BangleBangles
BowlsBowls
BasketBaskets
BucketBuckets
BrotherBrother
BottleBottles
BambooBamboos
CrowCrows
CrimeCrimes
ChocolateChocolates
ChiefChiefs
DoorDoors
DustbinDustbins
EggEggs
EarEars
ElephantElephants
FlagFlags
FanFans
GirlGirls
GoatGoats
HatHats
HutHuts
IronIrons
JugJugs
JacketJackets
KiteKites
KittenKittens
LampLamps
MapMaps
MatMats
NestNests
NoseNoses
OrangeOranges
PlatePlates
PenPens
Quilt Quilts 
RingRings
RegisterRegisters
StarStars
SoapSoaps
TubTubs
TableTables
VanVans
WindowWindows

2. The nouns ending in “-sh”, “-ch”, “-ss”, “-x”, form their plural by adding “-es” to them.

For Example:

SingularPlural
BoxBoxes
BushBushes
BranchBranches
ChurchChurches
ClassClasses
DressDresses
PrincessPrincesses
FoxFoxes
TaxTaxes
PunchPunches
GlassGlasses
AssAsses
WatchWatches
BenchBenches
DishDishes
BitchBitches
HeroHeroes
BusBuses

3. Most of the nouns ending in “-o” also form plurals by adding “-es” to them.

For Example:

SingularPlural
buffalobuffaloes
EchoEchoes
MangoMangoes
PotatoPotatoes

4. A few nouns ending in “-o” merely add “-s”.

For Example:

SingularPlural
CommandoCommandos
RatioRatios
PhotoPhotos
LogoLogos
Piano Pianos 
SoloSolos

5. The nouns ending in “-y” preceded by a consonant, form their plural by changing “-y” into “-i” and adding “-es”.

For Example:

SingularPlural
BabyBabies
ArmyArmies
CityCities
LadyLadies
PonyPonies
StoryStories
CountryCountries
FairyFairies
FamilyFamilies
HobbyHobbies

6. The nouns that have a vowel before the “-y”  are made plural simply by adding “-s” to them.

For Example:

SingularPlural
BoyBoys
DayDays
KeyKeys
ChimneyChimneys
ValleyValleys
DonkeyDonkeys
ToyToys
MonkeyMonkeys
GuyGuys
BarlayBarlays
RayRays

7. Some nouns ending in (“-f” , “-fe”) form their plural by changing  (“-f” , “-fe”) into (-v) adding (-es).

For Example:

SingularPlural
CalfCalves
LeafLeaves
LifeLives
LoafLoaves
MidwifeMidwives
KnifeKnives
ShelfShelves
ShefSheves
ThiefThieves
WolfWolves
WifeWifves

8. But some nouns that end in “f” are made plural simply by adding “s” to them.

For Example:

SingularPlural
ChiefChiefs
RoofRoofs
HandkerchiefHandkerchiefs
CliffCliffs

9. A few nouns form their plurals by changing one or more vowels in them.

For Example:

SingularPlural
ChildChildren
FootFeet
LouseLice
ManMen
WomanWomen
MouseMice 
GooseGeese
OxOxen
ToothTeet

10. A compound noun generally forms its plural by adding (-s) to the principal word.

For Example:

SingularPlural
Commander in chiefCommanders in chief
Daughter in lawDaughters in law
Son in lawSons in law
Step sonStep sons
Step daughterStep daughters
Step fatherStep fathers
Step motherStep mothers
Maid servantMaid servants
Passer byPassers by
Looker onLookers on
Hanger onHangers on
Grand fatherGrand fathers
Grand motherGrand mothers

 11. The plural form of some nouns remains the same as the singular form.

For Example:

SingularPlural
FishFish
FruitFruit
HairHair
ricerice
WheatWheat
WaterWater
SheepSheep
DeerDeer
AircraftAircraft
CattleCattle
ArmyArmy
NewsNews
PolicePolice
workwork
HerdHerd
FleetFleet
CrowdCrowd
FurnitureFurniture
PoemPoem

For in-depth understanding of noun checkout Introduction of Noun and Errors in the use of Nouns

Hopefully, your concept about Numbers of Nouns is clear now, This lecture is part of the whole series of English Grammar by Miss Nabila Gulzar, For Other Lectures Click Here also We have an Essay on every topic, Check the complete list here. If you are Studying in Matric Free Video Lectures of MathsPhysics and English are here, and if we got you covered for I.COM Business Maths also. 

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