Plural Rules

    Definition
  • A plural word represents more than one of something.
    • examples:  people, places, & things
  • The opposite of a plural word is a singular word.
    –s, –es Rules
  • Most nouns can become plural by adding the letter –s.
    • example:  The plural of cat is cats
  • Words ending with –ch, –s, or –x usually need an –es to be plural.
    • examples:  boxes, masses, & churches
    ’s Rules
  • We add ’s when making letters plural.
    • example:  Do you know your ABC’s?
    • example:  I got all A’s.
  • We add ’s when creating the plural of a word that refers to itself.
    • example:  You have too many and’s in this sentence.
    Acronym Rules
  • Acronyms become plural by adding an s.
    • examples:  URLs, BRBs, RFPs, PMs, BFs, GFs
  • Acronyms ending with –s need ’s to be plural.
    • example:  SOS’s, OS’s, GLASS’s
    Exceptions
  • Not all words follow these rules. There are many exceptions in the English language.
    • example:  singular: child // plural: children
    • example:  singular: deer // plural: deer
    • example:  singular: goose // plural: geese
    • example:  singular: nucleus // plural: nuclei

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Plural Examples

All of the words below are plural:
  • schools
  • classes
  • books
  • children
  • examples
  • shows
  • skates
  • deer
  • SOS's
  • geese
  • teachers
  • classmates
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