Plural of Energy

The Quick Answer

"Energy" is a mass noun. It has no plural form.

Be aware, however, that as well as meaning "power" in a general sense, the word "energy" can also relate to different types of power (e.g., a person's physical and mental powers). In such a context, the plural "energies" can be used.

The Plural of Energy

Energy is a mass noun. It has no plural form.

The Sun is the source of energy for life on Earth.
I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues. (Duke Ellington)

"Energies" Is Possible but Rare

When "energy" relates to different types of power (e.g., a person's physical and mental powers), the plural form "energies" can be used.

The group functions well because it takes its motivation from different energies.
Training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the spirit just as exercise conditions the body. (Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger)

Are You Good at Plurals?

Here's a quick test.

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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 energy	change the y to an i and add es	stories pennies energies (uncommon)
Nouns ending [vowel] y	storey () donkey	add s	storeys donkeys
Mass nouns	energy rice	some nouns do not have a plural form	energy rice
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 sheep	some nouns do not change at all	salmon sheep

Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Energy?

Confusion arises because, in its most common meaning, energy is a mass noun. A mass noun is a noun without a plural form. They refer to items that can't be counted (e.g., music, milk, chalk).

Another Interactive Exercise

Here are three randomly selected questions from another exercise on plurals, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.

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