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Number in English Grammar: Tips for Teachers and Moms
Number in English grammar show quantity and order. They are important for kids, students, teachers, mothers, and all learners. Knowing these rules makes talking and writing clear.
Learning about numbers helps everyone. Kids understand basic math, students do better in school, and teachers teach well. Mothers and learners use this in daily life.
Struggling with grammar numbers can be hard. This article makes the rules simple. It’s easy for everyone to learn and teach. Let’s explore numbers and improve our grammar!
Table of Contents
Types of numbers:
There two types of numbers. Such as
Singular Number and Plural Number.
Singular Number:
It may be defined as the number is used when the noun denotes to one item.
Examples:
cat
book
apple
car
child
Five Example Sentences:
The cat is sleeping on the couch.
She read a book before bed.
He ate an apple for lunch.
The car is parked outside.
The child is playing in the park.
Plural Number:
It may be defined as the number states to the count of more than one of a noun or pronoun.
Five Examples:
pencils
Doors
Lights
Birds
geese
Five Example Sentences:
I have many pens in my pencil case.
The tables are set for dinner.
My aunts are visiting us this weekend.
Our fathers attended the meeting.
The geese are flying south for the winter.
From Singular to Plural Number Rules:
Rule 1: Add ‘s’ to most singular nouns.
Examples:
cat -> cats
dog -> dogs
book -> books
car -> cars
chair -> chairs
Example Sentences:
I have two cats.
She owns three dogs.
The library has many books.
There are several cars in the parking lot.
The room has five chairs.
Rule 2: Add ‘es’ to nouns ending in ‘s’, ‘ss’, ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘x’, or ‘z’.
Examples:
bus -> buses
class -> classes
brush -> brushes
watch -> watches
box -> boxes
Example Sentences:
The buses are late today.
Our classes start at 9 AM.
She bought new brushes for painting.
All the watches were sold out.
We need to pack the boxes.
Rule 3: Change ‘y’ to ‘ies’ if a noun ends in a consonant followed by ‘y’.
Examples:
baby -> babies
lady -> ladies
city -> cities
story -> stories
party -> parties
Example Sentences:
There are five babies in the nursery.
The ladies enjoyed their tea.
Many cities are bustling with activity.
Children love bedtime stories.
They attended three parties last weekend.
Rule 4: Add ‘s’ to nouns ending in a vowel followed by ‘y’.
Examples:
key -> keys
boy -> boys
toy -> toys
day -> days
alley -> alleys
Example Sentences:
I lost my keys.
The boys are playing outside.
The store sells many toys.
There are seven days in a week.
The alleys are narrow.
Rule 5: Change ‘f’ or ‘fe’ to ‘ves’.
Examples:
leaf -> leaves
knife -> knives
wolf -> wolves
life -> lives
wife -> wives
Example Sentences:
The tree has many leaves.
The chef has sharp knives.
Wolves are seen in the forest.
They have happy lives.
The men introduced their wives.
Rule 6: Add ‘s’ to nouns ending in ‘o’ preceded by a vowel.
Examples:
radio -> radios
studio -> studios
video -> videos
zoo -> zoos
portfolio -> portfolios
Example Sentences:
The radios are on sale.
Several studios are in the area.
They watched many videos.
Zoos have various animals.
Designers showcased their portfolios.
Rule 7: Add ‘es’ to nouns ending in ‘o’ preceded by a consonant.
Examples:
potato -> potatoes
hero -> heroes
tomato -> tomatoes
echo -> echoes
veto -> vetoes
Example Sentences:
She bought potatoes for dinner.
The heroes were honored.
Fresh tomatoes are in the basket.
We heard loud echoes.
The president issued two vetoes.
Rule 8: Change ‘us’ to ‘i’ for certain Latin-origin nouns.
Examples:
cactus -> cacti
focus -> foci
fungus -> fungi
nucleus -> nuclei
syllabus -> syllabi
Example Sentences:
The garden has many cacti.
Scientists study different foci.
Fungi grow in damp places.
Nuclei are the center of cells.
Professors distributed the syllabi.
Rule 9: Change ‘is’ to ‘es’ for Greek-origin nouns.
Examples:
analysis -> analyses
crisis -> crises
thesis -> theses
hypothesis -> hypotheses
axis -> axes
Example Sentences:
The report includes several analyses.
Governments manage economic crises.
Students submitted their theses.
Researchers tested their hypotheses.
The graph shows two axes.
Rule 10: Some nouns have irregular plural forms.
Examples:
man -> men
woman -> women
child -> children
foot -> feet
tooth -> teeth
Example Sentences:
The men are working.
The women are meeting.
Children play in the park.
He has big feet.
She brushes her teeth.
Rule 11: Some nouns remain the same in both singular and plural forms.
Examples:
sheep -> sheep
deer -> deer
fish -> fish
species -> species
aircraft -> aircraft
Example Sentences:
The farmer owns ten sheep.
We saw several deer in the woods.
The aquarium has many fish.
Scientists study different species.
The military deployed several aircraft.
Rule 12: For nouns ending in ‘um’, change ‘um’ to ‘a’.
Examples:
curriculum -> curricula
bacterium -> bacteria
medium -> media
datum -> data
stratum -> strata
Example Sentences:
Schools follow various curricula.
Bacteria are microscopic organisms.
The media reported the news.
The data was analyzed.
Geologists study rock strata.
Rule 13: For nouns ending in ‘on’, change ‘on’ to ‘a’.
Examples:
criterion -> criteria
phenomenon -> phenomena
automaton -> automata
protozoon -> protozoa
lexicon -> lexica
Example Sentences:
The criteria for selection are strict.
Strange phenomena occurred.
Scientists built several automata.
Protozoa are single-celled organisms.
Dictionaries list lexica.
Rule 14: Some compound nouns form the plural by changing the main word.
Examples:
mother-in-law -> mothers-in-law
passerby -> passersby
attorney general -> attorneys general
brother-in-law -> brothers-in-law
chief of staff -> chiefs of staff
Example Sentences:
She has three mothers-in-law.
Many passersby stopped to help.
The attorneys general met for a conference.
They have two brothers-in-law.
The chiefs of staff gathered for a meeting.
Rule 15: For musical terms ending in ‘o’, add ‘s’.
Examples:
piano -> pianos
cello -> cellos
banjo -> banjos
alto -> altos
solo -> solos
Example Sentences:
The store sells new pianos.
Cellos are played in orchestras.
He collects banjos.
The choir has many altos.
The singer performed solos.
Rule 16: For abbreviations and acronyms, add ‘s’.
Examples:
CD -> CDs
ATM -> ATMs
DVD -> DVDs
UFO -> UFOs
VIP -> VIPs
Example Sentences:
She bought several CDs.
The city installed new ATMs.
The shop rents out DVDs.
People reported seeing UFOs.
The event had many VIPs.
Rule 17: Some foreign words retain their original plural form.
Examples:
alumnus -> alumni
alumnus -> alumnae
corpus -> corpora
radius -> radii
genus -> genera
Example Sentences:
The alumni attended the reunion.
The alumnae organized a charity event.
The corpora were studied in detail.
The radii of the circles were measured.
Scientists classified different genera.
Rule 18: For nouns ending in ‘us’ with irregular plurals.
Examples:
octopus -> octopuses/octopi
platypus -> platypuses
syllabus -> syllabuses/syllabi
cactus -> cactuses/cacti
genius -> geniuses/genii
Example Sentences:
We saw several octopuses/octopi at the aquarium.
Platypuses are unique animals.
Professors handed out the syllabuses/syllabi.
The garden has many cactuses/cacti.
The conference featured several geniuses/genii.
Rule 19: For nouns with irregular forms changing vowel sounds.
Examples:
man -> men
woman -> women
foot -> feet
tooth -> teeth
goose -> geese
Example Sentences:
The men worked hard.
Women gathered for the meeting.
She has small feet.
He brushed his teeth.
The farm has many geese.
Rule 20: Some nouns do not have a plural form and are always singular.
Examples:
information -> information
furniture -> furniture
advice -> advice
equipment -> equipment
news -> news
Example Sentences:
He gave me useful information.
The room has new furniture.
She provided helpful advice.
The store sells various equipment.
The news is on TV.
Rule 21: For nouns ending in ‘o’ with exceptions, add ‘s’.
Examples:
photo -> photos
piano -> pianos
memo -> memos
halo -> halos
silo -> silos
Example Sentences:
She took several photos during her trip.
The pianist played two pianos.
He sent memos to all employees.
The artwork featured glowing halos.
The farm has large silos.
Rule 22: For nouns ending in ‘f’ with irregular plurals, add ‘s’.
Examples:
chef -> chefs
roof -> roofs
belief -> beliefs
chief -> chiefs
handkerchief -> handkerchiefs
Example Sentences:
The chefs prepared a delicious meal.
They fixed the roofs.
People have different beliefs.
The chiefs met to discuss strategies.
He carried two handkerchiefs.
Rule 23: Some nouns ending in ‘f’ or ‘fe’ change to ‘ves’ irregularly.
Examples:
dwarf -> dwarves
scarf -> scarves
wharf -> wharves
half -> halves
calf -> calves
Example Sentences:
The story mentioned seven dwarves.
She has many scarves.
The boats docked at the wharves.
The recipe needs two halves.
The farm has young calves.
Rule 24: Some nouns have the same singular and plural form.
Examples:
deer -> deer
sheep -> sheep
series -> series
species -> species
aircraft -> aircraft
Example Sentences:
The deer are grazing in the field.
The farmer owns many sheep.
She watched several series on TV.
Scientists discovered new species.
The airport is full of aircraft.
Rule 25: For nouns that are always plural, use them as they are.
Examples:
scissors -> scissors
trousers -> trousers
binoculars -> binoculars
spectacles -> spectacles
pliers -> pliers
Example Sentences:
She used the scissors to cut the paper.
He wore new trousers.
They looked at birds with binoculars.
Her spectacles were broken.
The mechanic used pliers.
Rule 26: For collective nouns, the verb can be singular or plural depending on context.
Examples:
team -> teams
family -> families
class -> classes
group -> groups
committee -> committees
Example Sentences:
The team is winning.
The teams are ready to compete.
The family is large.
Several families attended the reunion.
The class meets on Mondays.
The classes are interesting.
Rule 27: For irregular plural forms with different root changes.
Examples:
mouse -> mice
louse -> lice
man -> men
woman -> women
goose -> geese
Example Sentences:
The mice scurried away.
The children have lice.
The men worked together.
The women attended the meeting.
The geese flew south.
Rule 28: Some nouns ending in ‘us’ change to ‘i’ in Latin.
Examples:
fungus -> fungi
syllabus -> syllabi
alumnus -> alumni
cactus -> cacti
focus -> foci
Example Sentences:
The fungi are growing in the forest.
Professors handed out the syllabi.
The alumni attended the event.
The desert is full of cacti.
The lenses have different foci.
Rule 29: Some nouns ending in ‘ix’ or ‘ex’ change to ‘ices’.
Examples:
appendix -> appendices
index -> indices
matrix -> matrices
vertex -> vertices
codex -> codices
Example Sentences:
The book has two appendices.
The library catalog uses indices.
The computer uses matrices.
The vertices of the shape were marked.
The ancient texts were written in codices.
Rule 30: Certain nouns have unique plural forms with no specific rule.
Examples:
child -> children
ox -> oxen
person -> people
foot -> feet
tooth -> teeth
Example Sentences:
The playground was full of children.
The farmer used oxen for plowing.
Many people attended the concert.
The athlete has big feet.
She has healthy teeth.
Rule 31: Some nouns derived from Greek end in ‘on’ and change to ‘a’.
Examples:
criterion -> criteria
phenomenon -> phenomena
automaton -> automata
ganglion -> ganglia
protozoon -> protozoa
Example Sentences:
The criteria for the award are strict.
Strange phenomena were observed in the sky.
The lab uses advanced automata.
Doctors studied the ganglia.
Protozoa are single-celled organisms.
Rule 32: Some nouns of foreign origin retain their original plural form.
Examples:
chateau -> chateaux
tableau -> tableaux
virtuoso -> virtuosi
tempo -> tempi
libretto -> libretti
Example Sentences:
The region is known for its chateaux.
The art exhibit featured several tableaux.
The concert included virtuosi from around the world.
The musicians adjusted their tempi.
Opera singers practiced their libretti.
Rule 33: Certain scientific and medical terms follow unique pluralization rules.
Examples:
formula -> formulae
vertebra -> vertebrae
nebula -> nebulae
stigma -> stigmata
antenna -> antennae
Example Sentences:
The scientist developed new formulae.
The patient had three vertebrae misaligned.
Astronomers observed multiple nebulae.
The plant showed signs of stigmata.
Insects have sensitive antennae.
Rule 34: Some Latin words ending in ‘a’ form their plurals by changing ‘a’ to ‘ae’.
Examples:
larva -> larvae
alga -> algae
alumna -> alumnae
antenna -> antennae
formula -> formulae
Example Sentences:
The pond is full of larvae.
Scientists study algae in the lab.
The alumnae organized a reunion.
Insects use their antennae to navigate.
Chemists work with different formulae.
Rule 35: Some compound nouns change the first part to make them plural.
Examples:
passer-by -> passers-by
mother-in-law -> mothers-in-law
attorney-at-law -> attorneys-at-law
court-martial -> courts-martial
notary public -> notaries public
Example Sentences:
Many passers-by stopped to help.
They have three mothers-in-law.
The attorneys-at-law gathered for a meeting.
The courts-martial were held last week.
Notaries public are authorized to sign documents.
Rule 36: Some nouns ending in ‘um’ change ‘um’ to ‘a’.
Examples:
bacterium -> bacteria
curriculum -> curricula
medium -> media
datum -> data
stratum -> strata
Example Sentences:
Bacteria are found everywhere.
Schools offer diverse curricula.
The media reported the event.
The data was collected over several years.
Geologists studied the rock strata.
Rule 37: Some nouns with no plural form are used only in singular.
Examples:
information -> information
furniture -> furniture
advice -> advice
equipment -> equipment
luggage -> luggage
Example Sentences:
She provided useful information.
The new furniture arrived yesterday.
He gave me good advice.
The equipment is very expensive.
We packed our luggage.
Rule 38: Some nouns with no singular form are used only in plural.
Examples:
clothes -> clothes
scissors -> scissors
trousers -> trousers
spectacles -> spectacles
earnings -> earnings
Example Sentences:
She bought new clothes.
Use the scissors to cut the paper.
His trousers are too short.
She needs new spectacles.
Their earnings have increased.
Rule 39: Some irregular nouns change spelling entirely in plural.
Examples:
child -> children
person -> people
ox -> oxen
goose -> geese
foot -> feet
Example Sentences:
The playground was full of children.
Many people attended the event.
The farmer used oxen for plowing.
We saw geese flying south.
His feet were sore after the hike.
Rule 40: For proper nouns, add ‘s’ or ‘es’ to form plurals.
Examples:
Mr. Smith -> Mr. Smiths
Jones -> Joneses
Kennedy -> Kennedys
Bush -> Bushes
Murphy -> Murphys
Example Sentences:
The Mr. Smiths attended the party.
The Joneses are our neighbors.
The Kennedys have a large family.
The Bushes are visiting us.
The Murphys live next door.
Rule 41: For some nouns ending in ‘is’, change ‘is’ to ‘es’.
Examples:
analysis -> analyses
crisis -> crises
thesis -> theses
basis -> bases
oasis -> oases
Example Sentences:
The report includes several analyses.
The team handled multiple crises.
Students submitted their theses.
The project was built on solid bases.
The desert is dotted with oases.
Rule 42: Some nouns ending in ‘on’ change ‘on’ to ‘a’.
Examples:
criterion -> criteria
phenomenon -> phenomena
automaton -> automata
protozoon -> protozoa
lexicon -> lexica
Example Sentences:
The criteria for selection were strict.
Strange phenomena were observed.
The lab used several automata.
Scientists studied various protozoa.
The dictionaries list multiple lexica.
Rule 43: Some nouns that end in ‘ix’ or ‘ex’ change ‘ix’ or ‘ex’ to ‘ices’.
Examples:
matrix -> matrices
appendix -> appendices
index -> indices
vertex -> vertices
codex -> codices
Example Sentences:
The data was stored in several matrices.
The book contains two appendices.
The library has different indices.
The vertices of the shape were highlighted.
Ancient texts were written in codices.
Rule 44: Some nouns have irregular plural forms without specific rules.
Examples:
child -> children
tooth -> teeth
man -> men
woman -> women
foot -> feet
Example Sentences:
The playground was full of children.
He brushes his teeth twice a day.
The men worked together on the project.
The women attended the conference.
She has small feet.
Rule 45: Some animal names have the same singular and plural form.
Examples:
deer -> deer
fish -> fish
sheep -> sheep
moose -> moose
salmon -> salmon
Example Sentences:
The forest is home to many deer.
We caught several fish in the lake.
The farmer raises sheep.
Moose are often seen in this area.
The river is full of salmon.
Rule 46: Some nouns always exist in plural form.
Examples:
trousers -> trousers
scissors -> scissors
glasses -> glasses
shorts -> shorts
pliers -> pliers
Example Sentences:
He bought a new pair of trousers.
The scissors are on the table.
She needs her glasses to read.
He packed his shorts for the trip.
The mechanic used pliers.
Rule 47: For family names, add ‘s’ or ‘es’ to make them plural.
Examples:
Smith -> Smiths
Jones -> Joneses
Lopez -> Lopezes
Garcia -> Garcias
Brown -> Browns
Example Sentences:
The Smiths are coming to dinner.
The Joneses are our neighbors.
The Lopezes went on vacation.
The Garcias have a large family.
The Browns live next door.
Rule 48: Some nouns ending in ‘um’ change ‘um’ to ‘a’.
Examples:
bacterium -> bacteria
curriculum -> curricula
datum -> data
medium -> media
stratum -> strata
Example Sentences:
Scientists study bacteria.
The school offers different curricula.
The data was collected over time.
The media reported the incident.
The geologist examined the strata.
Rule 49: Some Latin-origin nouns ending in ‘a’ change ‘a’ to ‘ae’.
Examples:
larva -> larvae
alga -> algae
alumna -> alumnae
antenna -> antennae
formula -> formulae
Example Sentences:
The larvae will become butterflies.
The pond is covered with algae.
The alumnae attended the reunion.
Insects have sensitive antennae.
Chemists work with various formulae.
Rule 50: Some Greek-origin nouns ending in ‘ma’ change ‘ma’ to ‘mata’.
Examples:
stigma -> stigmata
schema -> schemata
dogma -> dogmata
lemma -> lemmata
trauma -> traumata
Example Sentences:
The flowers showed stigmata.
The database contains various schemata.
Philosophers debated different dogmata.
The book includes multiple lemmata.
The doctor treated several traumata.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the rules of number in English grammar helps everyone communicate better. Kids, students, teachers, and mothers can solve common grammar problems easily. By mastering singular and plural forms, learning and teaching grammar becomes simpler and more effective.
FAQ
What is a number in English grammar?
Numbers in English grammar indicate whether a noun is singular or plural. It helps to distinguish between one item (singular) and more than one (plural).
What are the types of number in English?
The two main types of numbers in English grammar are singular and plural. Singular refers to one item, while plural refers to more than one.
How do you form plural nouns in English?
Plural nouns are often formed by adding “-s” or “-es” to the singular form of a noun. For example, “cat” becomes “cats” and “box” becomes “boxes.”
What are irregular plurals in English?
Irregular plurals do not follow the typical “-s” or “-es” rule. Examples include “child” becoming “children” and “man” becoming “men.”
What is the difference between countable and uncountable nouns?
Countable nouns refer to things that can be counted individually (e.g., “books”), while uncountable nouns refer to substances or concepts that cannot be counted (e.g., “water”).
How do you use singular and plural verbs with nouns?
Singular nouns usually take singular verbs (e.g., “The cat sleeps”), while plural nouns take plural verbs (e.g., “The cats sleep”).
What is a subject-verb agreement in relation to numbers?
Subject-verb agreement means that the verb must correspond in number (singular or plural) with the subject of the sentence. For example, “He runs” (singular subject) versus “They run” (plural subject).
Can a noun be both singular and plural?
Yes, some nouns have the same form for both singular and plural, such as “deer” and “sheep.”
Why is understanding numbers important in English grammar?
Understanding numbers is crucial for clarity in communication. It helps to convey whether we are referring to one item or more than one.
How can I improve my understanding of numbers in English grammar?
Practice identifying singular and plural nouns in sentences. Review rules for forming plural nouns and subject-verb agreement to strengthen your grasp of numbers in English grammar.
Exercises:
Add ‘s’ to most singular nouns
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| table | tables |
| apple | apples |
| shoe | shoes |
| house | houses |
| tree | trees |
Add ‘es’ to nouns ending in ‘s’, ‘ss’, ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘x’, or ‘z’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| fox | foxes |
| church | churches |
| match | matches |
| buzz | buzzes |
| quiz | quizzes |
Change ‘y’ to ‘ies’ if a noun ends in a consonant followed by ‘y’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| puppy | puppies |
| country | countries |
| berry | berries |
| party | parties |
| cherry | cherries |
| family | families |
Add ‘s’ to nouns ending in a vowel followed by ‘y’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| journey | journeys |
| monkey | monkeys |
| play | plays |
| tray | trays |
| survey | surveys |
Change ‘f’ or ‘fe’ to ‘ves’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| calf | calves |
| shelf | shelves |
| loaf | loaves |
| thief | thieves |
| elf | elves |
Add ‘s’ to nouns ending in ‘o’ preceded by a vowel
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| rodeo | rodeo |
| patio | patio |
| cameo | cameo |
| stereo | stereo |
| scenario | scenario |
Add ‘es’ to nouns ending in ‘o’ preceded by a consonant
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| mosquito | mosquitoes |
| domino | dominoes |
| volcano | volcanoes |
| torpedo | torpedoes |
| buffalo | buffaloes |
Change ‘us’ to ‘i’ for certain Latin-origin nouns
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| radius | radii |
| stimulus | stimuli |
| alumnus | alumni |
| locus | loci |
| genus | genera |
Change ‘is’ to ‘es’ for Greek-origin nouns
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| basis | bases |
| diagnosis | diagnoses |
| synthesis | syntheses |
| oasis | oases |
| parenthesis | parentheses |
Some nouns have irregular plural forms
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| mouse | mice |
| goose | geese |
| | person | people |
| ox | oxen |
| louse | lice |
Some nouns remain the same in both singular and plural forms
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| series | series |
| salmon | salmon |
| trout | trout |
| |swine | swine |
| |cod | cod |
For nouns ending in ‘um’, change ‘um’ to ‘a’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| symposium | symposia |
| criterion | criteria |
| agendum | agenda |
| memorandum | memoranda |
| ovum | ova |
For nouns ending in ‘on’, change ‘on’ to ‘a’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| ganglion | ganglia |
| paragon | paragons |
| octagon | octagons |
| neon | neons |
| electron | electrons |
Some compound nouns form the plural by changing the main word
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| sister-in-law | sisters-in-law |
| court-martial | courts-martial |
| notary public | notaries public |
| editor-in-chief | editors-in-chief |
| sergeant major | sergeants major |
| sister-in-law | sisters-in-law |
| governor general | governors general |
For musical terms ending in ‘o’, add ‘s’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| concerto | concertos |
| tempo | tempos |
| bass | basses |
| soprano | sopranos |
| rondo | rondos |
For abbreviations and acronyms, add ‘s’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| ID | IDs |
| URL | URLs |
| PC | PCs |
| PhD | PhDs |
| CEO | CEOs |
Some foreign words retain their original plural form
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| chateau | chateaux |
| tableau | tableaux |
| virtuoso | virtuosi |
| tempo | tempi |
| libretto | libretti |
| |formula | formulae |
| |alga | algae |
| larva | larvae |
| alumna | alumnae |
For nouns ending in ‘us’ with irregular plurals
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| fungus | fungi |
| alumnus | alumni |
| nucleus | nuclei |
| stimulus | stimulus |
| fungus | fungi |
For nouns with irregular forms changing vowel sounds
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| mouse | mice |
| louse | lice |
Some nouns do not have a plural form and are always singular
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| homework | homework |
| luggage | luggage |
| money | money |
| news | news |
| software | software |
| music | music |
For nouns ending in ‘o’ with exceptions, add ‘s’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| solo | solos |
| zero | zeros |
| memo | memos |
| kilo | kilos |
| Hippo | hippos |
| rhino | rhinos |
| video | videos |
For nouns ending in ‘f’ with irregular plurals, add ‘s’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| cliff | cliffs |
| proof | proofs |
| safe | safes |
| gulf | gulfs |
| dwarf | dwarfs |
Some nouns ending in ‘f’ or ‘fe’ change to ‘ves’ irregularly
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| knife | knives |
| wolf | wolves |
| leaf | leaves |
| loaf | loaves |
| shelf | shelves |
| Thief | thieves |
Some nouns have the same singular and plural form
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| fish | fish |
| salmon | salmon |
| trout | trout |
| bison | bison |
| moose | moose |
For nouns that are always plural, use them as they are
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| pants | pants |
| tongs | tongs |
| jeans | jeans |
| shorts | shorts |
| pajamas | pajamas |
| shears | shears |
For collective nouns, the verb can be singular or plural depending on context
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| jury | juries |
| staff | staffs |
| audience | audiences |
| crowd | crowds |
| army | armies |
For irregular plural forms with different root changes
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| stimulus | stimuli |
| appendix | appendices |
| index | indices |
Some nouns ending in ‘us’ change to ‘i’ in Latin
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| jury | juries |
| staff | staffs |
| audience | audiences |
| crowd | crowds |
| army | armies |
Some nouns ending in ‘us’ change to ‘i’ in Latin
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| radius | radii |
| stimulus | stimuli |
| nucleus | nuclei |
| locus | loci |
| octopus | octopi |
Some nouns ending in ‘ix’ or ‘ex’ change to ‘ices’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| cicatrix | cicatrices |
| helix | helices |
| phoenix | phoenices |
| radix | radices |
Certain nouns have unique plural forms with no specific rule
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| die | dice |
| axis | axes |
Some nouns derived from Greek end in ‘on’ and change to ‘a’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| lexicon | lexica |
| polyhedron | polyhedra |
| taxon | taxa |
| octahedron | octahedra |
| mitochondrion | mitochondria |
Some nouns of foreign origin retain their original plural form
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| sushi | sushi |
| bison | bison |
| aircraft | aircraft |
| swine | swine |
Certain scientific and medical terms follow unique pluralization rules
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| bacterium | bacteria |
| medium | media |
| criterion | criteria |
| corpus | corpora |
| stigma | stigmata |
Some Latin words ending in ‘a’ form their plurals by changing ‘a’ to ‘ae’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| persona | personae |
| alumna | alumnae |
| aqua | aquae |
| nebula | nebulae |
| scapula | scapulae |
Some compound nouns change the first part to make them plural
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| sister-in-law | sisters-in-law |
| son-in-law | sons-in-law |
| brother-in-law | brothers-in-law |
| father-in-law | fathers-in-law |
Some nouns ending in ‘um’ change ‘um’ to ‘a’.
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| erratum | errata |
| medium | media |
| memorandum | memoranda |
| millennium | millennia |
| stadium | stadia |
| maximum | maxima |
| minimum | minima |
| referendum | referenda |
| spectrum | spectra |
| emporium | emporia |
| forum | fora |
| helium | helia |
| atrium | atria |
| colloquium | colloquia |
| quantum | quanta |
| solarium | solaria |
| ultimatum | ultimata |
Some nouns with no plural form are used only in singular
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| money | money |
| homework | homework |
| knowledge | knowledge |
| traffic | traffic |
| weather | weather |
| progress | progress |
| scenery | scenery |
| bread | bread |
| clothing | clothing |
| equipment | equipment |
Some nouns with no singular form are used only in plural
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| trousers | trousers |
| pajamas | pajamas |
| shears | shears |
| tongs | tongs |
For proper nouns, add ‘s’ or ‘es’ to form plurals
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| King | Kings |
| Queen | Queens |
| Johnson | Johnsons |
| Davis | Davises |
| Taylor | Taylors |
| Harris | Harrises |
For some nouns ending in ‘is’, change ‘is’ to ‘es’
| Singular Number | Plural Number |
| diagnosis | diagnoses |
| emphasis | emphases |
| synopsis | synopses |