A regular plural noun (= substantiv) is usually formed by adding -s to the noun:
Singular | Plural |
bird | birds |
book | books |
boy | boys |
car | cars |
girl | girls |
house | houses |
pencil | pencils |
However, there are some exceptions.
1. When the noun ends in s, sh, ch, x or z, we add -es to the noun:
Singular | Plural |
box | boxes |
fox | foxes |
kiss | kisses |
match | matches |
quiz | quizzes |
wish | wishes |
2. When the noun ends with a consonant + y, we remove y and add -ies to the noun:
Singular | Plural |
baby | babies |
city | cities |
country | countries |
family | families |
fly | flies |
lady | ladies |
3. If the noun ends with f or fe, we remove f/fe and add -ves to the noun:
Singular | Plural |
calf | calves |
elf | elves |
knife | knives |
leaf | leaves |
thief | thieves |
wife | wives |
Exceptions: roofs, proofs | |
4. If the noun ends with a consonant + o, we normally add -es to the noun:
Singular | Plural |
echo | echoes |
embargo | embargoes |
hero | heroes |
potato | potatoes |
tomato | tomatoes |
torpedo | torpedoes |
Exceptions: pianos, photos | |