Singular and Plural Form

Source : English Way, Penerbit: Quadra (Yudhistira), 2006.

1. Singular/Plural Form

Singular is a form of noun or pronoun used to refer to one person or thing.

Examples: book, pencil, man, girl, child.

Plural is a form of noun or pronoun used to refer to more than one person or thing.

Examples: books, pencils, men, girls, children.

2. How Plural Have Formed

The plural of nouns are generally formed by adding –s to the singular.

Examples:

* boy – boys

* pen – pens

* desk – desks

But, nouns ending in –s, -sh, -ch, or –x form the plural by adding –es to the singular.

Examples:

* class – classes

* brush – brushes

* match – matches

* box – boxes

Most nouns ending in –o also form the plural by adding –es to the singular.

Examples:

* tomato – tomatoes

* potato – potatoes

* buffalo – buffaloes

A few nouns ending in –o merely add –s.

Examples:

* photo – photos

* piano – pianos

* kilo – kilos

Nouns ending in –y, preceded by a consonant, form their plural by changing –y into –i and adding –es.

Examples:

* baby – babies

* story – stories

* city – cities

The following nouns ending in –f or –fe form their plural by changing –f or –fe into v and adding –es.

Examples:

* thief – thieves

* life – lives

* shelf - shelves