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Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns, Definition, Rules and Examples

Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns is most important topic of English Grammar. Here Singular Noun and Plural Noun, definition, rules to change Singular Noun to Plural Nouns and Examples are given

Singular Noun

Single means one. It refers to the count of only one of a noun or pronoun.When we speak about one person and one thing, we use the noun in singular form. Example: pen, table, aunt, father, book, chair, city , etc.

Plural Noun

Plural means many. It refers to the count of more than one of a noun or pronoun. When we speak about more than one person and one thing, we use the noun in plural form. Example: pens, tables, aunts, fathers, books, chairs, cities , etc.

How to change Singular Noun into Plural Noun

Numerous RULES are there to change the number from singular to plural. They are as follows-

1- Generally –s is added at the end of a singular noun to make it plural

Singular Plural
BookBooks
BoyBoys
EyeEyes
HandHands
House Houses
Rupee Rupees

But when s, ss, ch, sh, x, z comes at the end of Noun, then -es is added to make it plural.

SingularPlural
Batch  Batches  
Address  Addresses  
BoxBoxes
BrushBrushes
TaxTaxes
ClassClasses
Match  Matches
QuizQuizzes
Prospectus Prospectuses 

ch has two pronunciations – 1- च (CH) 2- क (K). When ch comes at the end of a Noun and that ch is pronounced ‘च’ (CH), then -es is added to that Noun to make it plural, but when If ch is pronounced ‘क (k)’, then -s is added to it

SingularPlural
MonarchMonarchs
StomachStomachs
Matriarch Matriarchs 

2- If Y comes at the end of a noun and a consonant comes before it, then to make it plural, Y is removed and -ies is written in its place.

SingularPlural
ArmyArmies
LilyLilies
SpySpies
BabyBabies
DutyDuties
CityCities
Variety Varieties

But if there is a vowel before y, then only -s is added at the end to make it plural.

SingularPlural
ValleyValleys
BoyBoys
ChimneyChimneys
Day Days
MonkeyMonkeys
RayRays
StoreyStoreys

3- If O comes at the end of a Noun, then -es is added to make it plural.

SingularPlural
BuffaloBuffaloes
MosquitoMosquitoes
PotatoPotatoes
EchoEchoes
Mango Mangoes
HeroHeroes
PotatoPotatoes

But when io, eo, oo, come at the end of a Noun, then only -s is added at the end to make it plural. And there are some Nouns which end in ‘O’ and consonant comes before it, then add  only -s to make them plural .

SingularPlural
BambooBamboos
StudioStudios
ScenarioScenarios
PortfolioPortfolios
ZooZoos
StereoStereos
FolioFolios

4- If -f or -fe comes at the end of a Noun, then to make it plural, -f or -fe is removed and -ves is written in its place.

SingularPlural
CalfCalves
ElfEves
KnifeKnives
LeafLeaves
WolfWolves
ThiefThieves
SheafSheaves
LifeLives
LoafLoaves

But there are some Nouns which have -f or -fe at the end but only -s is added to make them plural.

SingularPlural
HandkerchiefHandkerchiefs
ProofProofs
BeliefBeliefs
MassifMassifs
RoofRoofs
BeliefBeliefs
GriefGriefs
TurfTurfs
FifeFifes

Some nouns  have  –ff at the end, add  –s to make them plural.

SingularPlural
StaffStaff
PuffPuff
RuffRuff
Sniff Sniff 
WhiffWhiff
ChaffChaff
Sheriff  Sheriff  

There are some Nouns which end in -f or -fe and become double plural.

SingularPlural
HoofHoofs,  Hooves
ScarfScarfs , Scarves
WharfWharfs, Wharves

5- Some Nouns are made PLURAL by changing the vowels between them.

SingularPlural
DormouseDormice
FootFeet
GooseGeese
Louse Lice 
ManMen
MouseMice
ToothTeeth
Woman Women 

6Some Nouns are made PLURAL by adding – en / ne .

SingularPlural
BrotherBrethren Or Brothers
ChildChildren
 CowKine  Or Cows
 OxOxen

7- Compound Nouns are made plural by adding –s/es to the main word.

SingularPlural
Coat-Of-MailCoats-Of-Mail
Commander-In-ChiefCommanders-In-Chief
Court-MartialCourts-Martial
Daughter-In-Law  Daughters-In-Law  
Governor-GeneralGovernors-General / Governor-Generals
Hanger-OnHangers-On
Knight-Errant  Knights-Errant  
Maid-ServantMaid-Servants
Pick-Pocket  Pick-Pockets  
Lord-Justice Lords-Justice 
Step-FatherStep-Fathers

8- There are some Compound Nouns which that have -um. Such compound nouns are made PLURAL by removing -um and adding -a in place of -um.

SingularPlural
    Agendum    Agenda
DatumData
MemorandumMemoranda
OvumOva
Symposium Symposia

9- There are some Compound Nouns which that have -us. Such compound nouns are made PLURAL by removing -us and adding -i in place of -us.

SingularPlural
AlumnusAlumni
BacillusBacilli
Focus Foci
SyllabusSyllabi
TerminusTermini
Nucleus Nuclei
LogusLogi

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