{"id":51041,"date":"2024-02-28T17:26:26","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T16:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=51041"},"modified":"2024-02-28T17:26:26","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T16:26:26","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-plural-noun-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-plural-noun-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About Plural Noun Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although you learn plural nouns early on, they can be challenging. There are many rules and exceptions<\/strong><\/span><\/em> to remember plus English often borrows words from other languages. No wonder even high-level students still slip up<\/strong><\/span><\/em> occasionally.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019re here to take you through the plural noun rules step by step. Discover the differences between all the types of plurals including their spelling, pronunciation and when you can use them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to spell and pronounce regular plural nouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although it might seem like there isn\u2019t a pattern to plural nouns, many of them follow strict rules.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Most nouns: +s<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

cat \u2192 cats<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

dog \u2192 dogs<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, or sh: +es<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

bus \u2192 buses<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

class \u2192 classes<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

fox \u2192 foxes<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

quiz \u2192 quizzes<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

church \u2192 churches<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

match \u2192 matches<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

dish \u2192 dishes<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

The -es ending makes an \/\u026az\/<\/em> sound which adds an extra syllable<\/strong><\/span><\/em> to the word. Try saying fox<\/em> and then foxes<\/em> to hear what we mean.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nouns ending in a consonant and y: -y and +ies<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

baby \u2192 babies<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

penny\u2192 pennies<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

The -ies ending makes an \/i\u02d0z\/<\/em> sound. Although it sounds similar to the -es ending and adds an extra syllable, it\u2019s actually longer.<\/p>\n

Note how nouns that end in a vowel and a consonant don\u2019t follow this rule:<\/p>\n

toy \u2192 toys<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

day \u2192 days<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nouns that end in o: +es<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

potato \u2192 potatoes<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

tomato \u2192 tomatoes<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

hero \u2192 heroes<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

The final -oes spelling always makes an \/o\u028az\/<\/em> sound as in toes<\/em>.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be happy to hear all these spelling and pronunciation rules also apply to the third person<\/strong><\/span><\/em> in the present simple tense<\/a>. Match is a good example as it\u2019s both a noun and a verb:<\/p>\n

I have one match<\/u><\/em>.<\/p>\n

You have a box of fifteen matches<\/u><\/em>.<\/p>\n

The twins match<\/u> all their clothes when they go out<\/em>.<\/p>\n

He matches<\/u> the words in English to their pictures<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to use irregular plural nouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Many plural nouns don\u2019t follow the rules above so we call them \u2018irregular\u2019. As they don\u2019t all have patterns you can learn, it\u2019s easier to memorise the most common ones. We\u2019ll use some popular ones in our examples.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nouns that change their central vowels<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

man \u2192 me<\/u>n<\/em><\/p>\n

woman \u2192 wome<\/u>n<\/em><\/p>\n

foot \u2192 fee<\/u>t<\/em><\/p>\n

tooth \u2192 tee<\/u>th<\/em><\/p>\n

goose \u2192 gee<\/u>se<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nouns that change their endings<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

child \u2192 children<\/em><\/p>\n

person \u2192 people <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nouns that stay the same<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

sheep \u2192 sheep<\/em><\/p>\n

fish \u2192 fish<\/em><\/p>\n

deer \u2192 deer<\/em><\/p>\n

species<\/strong><\/span> \u2192 species<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nouns which end in a \u2018f\u2019 sound<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

leaf \u2192 leaves<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

wife \u2192 wives<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

knife \u2192 knives<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to use collective nouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

A collective noun is a word that refers to a group. We can talk about this group as one thing or many different things together.<\/p>\n

Even native speakers get confused about how to use collective nouns. The problem is that the noun doesn\u2019t change, the verb does instead. For example:<\/p>\n

My family lives<\/u> around the corner<\/em>.<\/p>\n

His family are<\/u> arriving at different times<\/em>.<\/p>\n

How can you decide whether to use the third person singular or plural? Ask yourself whether everyone in the group is acting together or individually.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a mental exercise you can try. In your next class, think about whether everyone is doing an activity together. What verb should you use?<\/p>\n

Everyone must give a presentation alone. \u2192 The class are<\/u> doing presentations<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The teacher is holding the class in room 4B. \u2192 The class is<\/u> in room 4B<\/em>.<\/p>\n

We work on our projects in pairs. \u2192 The class work<\/u> on their projects<\/em>.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a trip planned for tomorrow. \u2192 The class is<\/u> going on a field trip<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are \u2018pluralia tantum\u2019 and how do they work?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

When you hear \u2018pluralia tantum\u2019, you might think it sounds like a spell from Harry Potter! But you can\u2019t levitate<\/strong><\/span><\/em> objects or turn invisible by saying these words. \u2018Pluralia tantum\u2019 means \u2018plurals only\u2019 in Latin and refers to nouns that are never singular.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the most common ones:<\/p>\n

\u2714scissors<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2714glasses<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2714trousers<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2714clothes<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2714jeans<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2714shorts<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2714headphones<\/em><\/p>\n

It may help you to remember these words better when you know they all have two parts. For example, glasses have two lenses, one for each eye, and jeans have two legs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Common mistakes students make with plural nouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you often get plurals confused, perhaps it\u2019d help to understand what errors you\u2019re making. Here are some common spelling and grammar mistakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Common<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Forming plural nouns can be challenging when there are so many different rules to remember. But if you keep practising, you can develop an instinct<\/strong><\/span><\/em> for when they\u2019re right and wrong. There are also many popular language apps<\/a> with memory games to help you memorise them.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for more guidance on English grammar, book a lesson with Oxford House<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\">
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>\n

Glossary for Language Learners<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Exception (n):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> a special case where you don\u2019t follow the rules.<\/p>\n

Slip up (pv):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> make a small mistake.<\/p>\n

Species (n):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> type or types of animals and plants.<\/p>\n

Syllable (n):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> a part of a word with one vowel sound.<\/p>\n

Third person (phr):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> when you refer to \u2018he\u2019, \u2018she\u2019 or \u2018they\u2019.<\/p>\n

Levitate (v):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> to make something rise in the air.<\/p>\n

Instinct (n):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> when you know or do something without being taught.<\/p>\n

\">
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>\n

Key<\/strong><\/p>\n

n = noun<\/p>\n

pv = phrasal verb<\/p>\n

phr = phrase<\/p>\n

v = verb<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Although you learn plural nouns early on, they can be challenging. There are many rules and exceptions to remember plus English often borrows words from other languages. No wonder even high-level students still slip up occasionally. Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019re here to take you through the plural noun rules step by step. Discover the differences between […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":51049,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[]},"categories":[268],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51041"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51041"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51041\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51053,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51041\/revisions\/51053"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51041"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=51041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}