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Plural of Sheep

What Is the Plural of Sheep?

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The Quick Answer

The plural of "sheep" is "sheep."
The plural of "sheep" is "sheep." It is not "sheeps."
  • Sheep are raised for fleece, meat, and milk. correct tick
  • In both ancient and modern religious ritual, sheep are used as sacrificial animals. correct tick
"Sheep" is one of those words whose plural form is the same as the singular. Other words like this are "aircraft," "bison," "cod," and "deer."

Table of Contents

  • Are You Good at Plurals?
  • The Standard Rules for Forming the Plurals
  • Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Sheep?
  • Ready for the Test?
plural of sheep

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
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
sheep
some nouns do not change at all salmon
sheep
Read more about English spelling rules.

Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Sheep?

"Sheep" is the only way to make the noun "sheep" plural.

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

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