What is Number and Formation Rules of Plural Nouns


Hello friends ! Today we are going to study in detail about “What is Number and Formation Rules of Plural Nouns.” In the previous notes, we knew about the Noun Rules well. Hope you have cleared all these rules

Today you are going to tell about some such rules, with the help of which you can easily do number formation. After understanding this topic, your English grammar’s knowledge will get a stronger foundation. So let’s start today’s topic : What is Number and Formation Rules of Plural Nouns


What is Number in English Grammar


Friends! You have already read about Noun and Numbers in all the small classes. Number simply means : count. That is, Noun words that indicate the number of a person or thing. We all know that a noun has two types of Numbers :

  1. Singular Number
  2. Plural Number
  • Singular : Noun word that denotes a person or thing.
  • Plural : Noun word that denotes more than one person or thing.

Formation Rules of Plural Nouns


Friends! Today we will know about all the rules with the help of which you can easily form singular into plural. There are some basic rules in English grammar. Keeping in mind that you can do Formation of Plurals. So let’s understand all these rules one by one :

Rule : 1.

  • Plural is usually formed by adding “s” to the end of the singular. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
GirlGirlsFatherFathers
MotherMothersBook Books
PencilPencilsCatCats
KingKingsQueenQueens

Rule : 2.

  • The singular nouns ending in – s, sh, ch, ss, x or z etc. are formed plurals by adding “es” after them. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
BusBusesWatchWatches
MatchMatchesDishDishes
ClassClassesBoxBoxes
FoxFoxesBuzzBuzzes

Rule : 3.

  • A. When a singular noun ends with “y” and is preceded by a Consonant, is formed plurals by adding “ies” in place of “y”. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
BabyBabiesLadyLadies
ArmyArmiesCityCities
DutyDutiesFamilyFamilies
CountryCountriesStoryStories
  • B. When a singular noun ends with “y” and is preceded by a Vowel, is formed plurals by adding only “s” after “y”. like
SingularPluralSingularPlural
BoyBoysMonkeyMonkeys
DayDaysDonkeyDonkeys
KeyKeysJourneyJourneys
ToyToysValleyValleys

Rule : 4.

  • A. When a singular noun ends with “o” and is preceded by a Consonant, is formed plurals by adding “es” in place of “o”. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
TomatoTomatoesHeroHeroes
PotatoPotatoesBuffaloBuffaloes
MangoMangoesMottoMottoes
EchoEchoesVolcanoVolcanoes
  • There can be some exceptions to this rule which you must take care of :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
PianoPianosPhotoPhotos
  • B. When a singular noun ends with “oo” or “io”, is formed plurals by adding only “s” after them. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
RatioRatiosStudioStudios
CuckooCuckoosBambooBamboos

Rule : 5.

  • A. When a singular noun ends with “f” or “fe”, is formed plurals by adding “ves” in place of “f” or “fe”. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
KnifeKnivesHalfHalves
WifeWivesThiefThieves
LifeLivesWolfWolves
LeafLeavesCalfCalves
  • B. When a singular noun ends with “f”, “ff” or “fe”, is formed plurals by adding only “s” after them. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
ChiefChiefsRoofRoofs
BriefBriefsProofProofs
GulfGulfsBeliefBeliefs
CliffCliffsStrifeStrifes

Rule : 6.

  • The plural is also changed by changing the vowel between some singular nouns. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
ManMenWomanWomen
FootFeetToothTeeth

Rule : 7.

  • A. To make a compound word plural, its principle word is changed into plural. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
Sister-in-lawSisters-in-lawDaughter-in-lawDaughters-in-law
Watch-manWatch-menCommander-in-chiefCommanders-in-chief
Boy-friendBoy-friendsGirl-friendGirl-friends
Major-generalMajor-generalsChief-ministerChief-ministers
  • B. But, to make the plural of some compound words, both its parts are changed into plurals. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
Man-servantMen-servantsLord-justiceLords-justices
Woman-doctorWomen-doctorsLord-lieutenantLords-lieutenants

Rule : 8.

  • In some cases the plural is also formed by adding “en” to singular nouns. like :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
OxOxenChildChildren

Rule : 9.

  • The method of pluralizing some foreign words is quite different. Which you can understand from the table below :
SingularPluralSingularPlural
BasisBasesCrisisCrises
MediumMediaPremiumPremia
RadiusRadiiSyllabusSyllabi
MemorandumMemorandaPhenomenonPhenomena

Rule : 10.

  • There are also some noun words which have two plurals with different meanings. like :
SingularPluralPlural
BrotherBrothers – भाईBrethren – एक ही समाज के सदस्य
GeniusGeniuses – प्रतिभाशालीGenii – पिशाच
IndexIndices – सूचकांकIndexes – सूची

Thus friends! Today you must have understood this topic of “What is Number and Formation Rules of Plural Nouns”. These are very easy rules which are not difficult to understand and remember. But their incomplete information can definitely make it difficult for you. Therefore, you are requested to learn them.


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A Request :

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