Most nouns add -s: book, books. Nouns ending in s, x, ch or sh add -es: glass, glasses; box, boxes.
Nouns ending in a consonant and y change the y to i and add -es: baby, babies; city, cities. But if a vowel comes before the y, just add -s: day, days; key, keys.
Some plurals are irregular: child, children; man, men; mouse, mice; tooth, teeth; sheep stays sheep.
When you are unsure, say the plural aloud and then check it in a dictionary.
Worked example
Write the plural of “party”.
- Party ends in y with a consonant (t) before it.
- Change y to i and add -es.
Answer:parties
Key words
- plural
- more than one
- consonant
- any letter that is not a vowel
- irregular
- does not follow the usual rule
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.2.1b