Plural of Aircraft

The Quick Answer

The plural of "aircraft" is "aircraft."

The Plural of Aircraft

The plural of "aircraft" is "aircraft."
  • Nothing can stop the attack of aircraft except other aircraft. correct tick
  • It's unbelievable what one squadron of twelve aircraft did to tip the balance. correct tick

Are You Good at Plurals?

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The Standard Rules for Forming the Plurals

The table below shows the standard rules for forming the plurals of nouns in English.
Type Example of Type Forming the Plural Plural
Most Nouns cat
scythe
add s cats
scythes
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z bus
dress
add es buses
dresses
Nouns ending [consonant] o mango
zero
tomato
add either s or es
(There are no rules for this - you have to know.)
mangoes or mangos
zeros
tomatoes
Nouns ending [vowel] o patio
ratio
add s patios
ratios
Nouns ending [consonant] y story
penny
change the y to an i and add es stories
pennies
Nouns ending [vowel] y storey (small British flag)
donkey
add s storeys
donkeys
Nouns ending f or fe dwarf
knife
ves and/or s
(There are no rules - you have to know.)
dwarfs
knives
Exceptions goose
louse
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change geese
lice
More exceptions salmon
aircraft
some nouns do not change at all salmon
aircraft
Read more about English spelling rules.

Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Aircraft?

"Aircraft" is the only way to make the noun "aircraft" plural.

Confusion arises because "aircraft" remains unchanged in its plural form. Unfortunately, there is no clever way of knowing which nouns follow which rules. You have to know.
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This page was written by Craig Shrives.