What Are Plural Nouns?

The word plural is defined as referring to or concerning more than one. So

plural nouns are words that mean more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. Most nouns can be changed to the plural form by adding s or es to
the end of the word.
2. Another example is words that end in y change the y to i and add
es.

Examples of Plural Nouns

Since the rules can be confusing when changing singular nouns to plurals, here
are a few more examples of the different forms plural nouns can take.
Forming plurals by simply adding an s to the end of the word.

More than one dog = dogs

More than one rake=rakes

More than one book=books

More than one mitten = mittens

More than one wall = walls

More than one house = houses

More than one truth = truths

Nouns that end in s, ch, or x are made plural by adding an es to the end of the
word.

More than one switch = switches

More than one ax = axes

More than one mass = masses

More than one church = churches

More than one tax = taxes

More than one bus = buses

Words that end in y become plural by changing the y to i and adding es.

More than one baby = babies

More than one kitty = kitties

More than one city = cities

More than one lady = ladies

Irregular Plural Nouns

Irregular plural nouns are a little tricky because they dont follow the rules! In
order to change irregular singular nouns to the plural form you have to change
the spelling. Adding an s or es wont do the trick.
One example is the singular foot and the plural form of the word, feet. Find out
more about irregular plural nouns.

Plural Possessive Nouns

In order to make a plural noun possessive that doesnt end in the letter s all
you have to do is add an apostrophe and an s.

Women = womens

Mice = mices

If the plural noun ends in an s it becomes possessive by adding an apostrophe

at the end.

Cars = cars

Rivers = rivers

Now that you know how to master the tricky parts, forming plural nouns should
be a walk in park!

Plural Only Agreement

BASE WORD FORM

These noun forms, not marked with the expected final -S, are plural-only nouns with no singular form.

People are

funny
.
*A people is at the door.
A person is at the door.
Two people are at the door.
Some people are at the door.
except: They were a kinder, more caring people. (group)

The police are coming. (group noun)

*A police is at the door.
*Two police are at the door.
Two police officers / policemen are at the door.

The cattle are in the field.

ANIMAL FOR FOOD: livestock, poultry
*Six cattle are in the field. (Six head of cattle) / A thousand cattle are on this ranch. / *This cattle is from our
ranch. / These cattle are from our ranch.

WORD FORM ENDING IN S

These plural-only nouns have no singular form. (Note the nouns consist of paired or symmetrical parts.)

Pants are bright .

CLOTHES: jeans, trousers, breeches, overalls, briefs, corduroys, slacks, knickers, shorts, etc.
*A pant / A pair of pants are on the floor. / This pant leg needs shortening.

Scissors are useful.

TOOLS: pliers, tweezers, tongs, shears, snippers, forceps, etc.
*A scissor is useful.
A pair of scissors are useful.
This scissor blade needs sharpening.

Glasses are available in many styles.

EYEWEAR: goggles, binoculars, spectacles, etc.
*A glass is available in many styles. / A pair of glasses was left on the counter. / This glass lens needs replacing.

Suds are coming out of the washing machine.

*A sud is on my beer.
A bubble is on my nose.