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martes, 1 de mayo de 2012

SINGULAR & PLURAL


Singular and plural


Singular Noun Definition: When a noun means one only, it is said to be singular.Examples: boy, girl, book, church, box
Plural Noun Definition: When a noun means more than one, it is said to be plural.Examples: boys, girls, books, churches
Rule #1
The plural of nouns is usually formed by adding - s to a singular noun.
lamplamps
catcats
forkforks
flowerflowers
penpens
Exercise: Write the plural of each of these nouns

chairstarfarm
stormdoorrock
ownerpapercup


Rule #2
Nouns ending in 
szx, sh, and ch form the plural by adding - es.
mossmosses
buzzbuzzes
boxboxes
dishdishes
churchchurches

Rule #3
Nouns ending in - y preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by changing - y to 
iesExamples: lady, ladies; city, cities; army, armiesRule #4
Nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel form their plurals by adding 
- s.
Example: boy, boys; day, days

Rule #5
Most nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by adding es. Example: hero; heroes; grotto, grottoes

Rule #6Some nouns ending in f or fe are made plural by changing f orfe to vesExample: beef, beeves; wife, wives



IRREGULAR PLURALS
man, menfoot, feetmouse, mice
woman, womentooth, teethlouse, lice
child, childrenox, oxengoose, gees


The following nouns have no singular:

scissors

oats

tongs

dregs
trouserspinchersbellowssnuffers
cattleshearsmeaslesmumps
victualstweezersvespers

Some nouns are always singular. Some of these nouns may be used in the plural when different kinds are meant as sugars, coffees, cottons
goldsilverwheatcorn
molassescoppersugarcotton

To do exercises and see more information:
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/substantiv.htm