Spelling Rules for Forming Plurals
Table of Plural Endings
Here is a table showing the rules for forming plurals in English:Type | Example of Type | Forming the Plural | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
Most Nouns | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z | ![]() |
add es | ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] o | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
add either s or es (There are no rules for this - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] o | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] y | ![]() ![]() |
change the y to an i and add es | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] y | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending f or fe | ![]() ![]() |
ves and/or s (There are no rules - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() |
Exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change | ![]() ![]() |
More exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns do not change at all | ![]() ![]() |
Are You Good at Plurals?
Here's a quick test.Words Taken from Foreign Languages
Words "stolen" from other languages form their plurals in a variety of ways.Examples:

(Through common usage, the plural stadiums is acceptable too.)


(Through common usage, the plural radiuses is acceptable too.)

You might also like...
List of unusual plurals
Quirks with forming plurals
Forming the plurals of abbreviations
Forming the plurals of compound nouns
Another test on forming plurals (Key Stage 1 style)
Help us improve...

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