Plural Forms Of Nouns

by PR Sarkar

When a word denotes only one object, it is singular in number. When it denotes more than one object, it is plural in number.

Rule 1

The general rule for forming plurals is to add -s to the word in the singular number:

Exceptions: If the noun ends in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x or -z, the plural is formed by adding -es to the singular:

Rule 2

If the last letter of the noun is -y and if -y is preceded by a consonant, the plural is formed by changing -y into -ies:

But if the final -y is preceded by a vowel, the plural is formed by adding only -s to the word in the singular number:

Rule 3

If the last letter of a noun is -o and if -o is preceded by a consonant, the plural is usually formed by adding -es to the singular:

a. Some exceptions: cantos, mementos, solos, pianos, provisos.

b. The plural of nouns ending in -oo, -io, -eo and -yo is formed by adding -s and not -es:

Rule 4

If a noun ends in -f or -fe, the plural is generally formed by changing -f or -fe into -ves:

Exceptions: The plural of nouns ending in -ief, -ff, -oof, -rf, -eef, is formed by adding only -s to the word in the singular number:

Rule 5

There are eight nouns which form their plurals by changing the inside vowels(s):

Rule 6

There are some nouns which form their plurals by adding -en.

Rule 7

In the case of compound nouns, plurals are fomrned by adding -s to the principal word:

Rule 8: Some nouns are singular in form but plural in meaning: cattle, people, swine, vermin, gentry, nobility, aristocracy, clergy, folk, etc.

The Kaoravas wanted to steal the cattle of King Virata. Virtuous people get peace in life.

Rule 9: Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning: mathematics, physics, politics, economics, whereabouts, gallows, ethics, etc.

Rule 10

Some nouns have no plural form: alphabet, furniture, poetry, scenery, offspring, luggage, expenditure, issue (in the sense of child or children).

Rule 11

a. Some nouns have only plural form: alms, annals, assets, bellows, riches. b. Some nouns have plural form but are used in the singular: means, news, innings.

Rule 12

Some nouns have double plural forms but with different meanings:

fish (many fish of the same variety) fishes (many fishes of different varieties) people (many people live in Calcutta) peoples (nations – many peoples of the world) System of Making Latin Plurals

For Latin words ending in -um in the singular number, the plural is formed by replacing -um with -a.

For Latin words ending in -us in the singular number, the plural is formed by replacing -us with -i: