The Noun: Number

In English grammar, the concept of number refers to whether a noun denotes one person or thing (singular) or more than one (plural). Understanding how nouns change form to indicate number is essential for mastering the language. This section systematically explores the rules and exceptions governing the formation of plural nouns, along with detailed examples and exercises.

Singular and Plural Number

A singular noun refers to one person or thing, while a plural noun refers to more than one. For example:

• Singular: boy, girl, tree, book, pen.

• Plural: boys, girls, trees, books, pens.

English has two numbers: singular and plural. The plural form of a noun is typically formed by modifying the singular form, often by adding suffixes or changing internal vowels. Below, we examine the rules and exceptions for forming plurals.

Rules for Forming Plurals

1. Regular Plurals

Most nouns form their plural by adding -s to the singular form:

• boy → boys

• pen → pens

• girl → girls

• desk → desks

• book → books

• cow → cows

2. Nouns Ending in -s, -sh, -ch (soft), or -x

Nouns ending in -s, -sh, -ch (soft), or -x form the plural by adding -es:

• class → classes

• kiss → kisses

• dish → dishes

• brush → brushes

• match → matches

• watch → watches

• branch → branches

• tax → taxes

• box → boxes

3. Nouns Ending in -o

Most nouns ending in -o form the plural by adding -es:

• buffalo → buffaloes

• mango → mangoes

• hero → heroes

• potato → potatoes

• cargo → cargoes

• echo → echoes

• negro → negroes

• volcano → volcanoes

However, some nouns ending in -o simply add -s:

• dynamo → dynamos

• solo → solos

• ratio → ratios

• canto → cantos

• memento → mementos

• quarto → quartos

• piano → pianos

• photo → photos

• stereo → stereos

• kilo → kilos

• logo → logos

• commando → commandos

4. Nouns Ending in -y Preceded by a Consonant

Nouns ending in -y preceded by a consonant change -y to -i and add -es:

• baby → babies

• lady → ladies

• city → cities

• army → armies

• story → stories

• pony → ponies

5. Nouns Ending in -f or -fe

Many nouns ending in -f or -fe change the ending to -ves in the plural:

• thief → thieves

• wife → wives

• wolf → wolves

• life → lives

• calf → calves

• leaf → leaves

• loaf → loaves

• knife → knives

• shelf → shelves

• half → halves

• elf → elves

• self → selves

• sheaf → sheaves

Some nouns ending in -f or -fe can take either -s or -ves:

• dwarf → dwarfs or dwarves

• hoof → hoofs or hooves

• scarf → scarfs or scarves

• wharf → wharfs or wharves

Other nouns ending in -f or -fe simply add -s:

• chief → chiefs

• safe → safes

• proof → proofs

• gulf → gulfs

• cliff → cliffs

• handkerchief → handkerchiefs

Irregular Plural Forms

Some nouns form their plural by changing internal vowels or adding -en:

• man → men

• woman → women

• foot → feet

• tooth → teeth

• goose → geese

• mouse → mice

• louse → lice

• ox → oxen

• child → children

The plural of fish can be fish or fishes, with fishes being less common.

Nouns with Identical Singular and Plural Forms

Some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural:

• swine, sheep, deer

• cod, trout, salmon

• aircraft, spacecraft

• series, species

Numerical nouns like pair, dozen, score, gross, hundred, thousand remain unchanged when used after numerals:

• I bought three dozen oranges.

• Some people live to three score and ten.

• The sari cost me five thousand rupees.

Nouns Used Only in the Plural

Certain nouns are inherently plural and have no singular form:

1. Instruments with Two Parts:

   • bellows, scissors, tongs, pincers, spectacles.

2. Articles of Dress:

   • trousers, drawers, breeches, jeans, tights, shorts, pyjamas.

3. Other Nouns:

   • annals, thanks, proceeds, tidings, environs, nuptials, obsequies, assets, chattels.

Nouns That Look Plural but Are Singular

Some nouns appear plural but are singular in meaning:

• Subjects: mathematics, physics, electronics.

• News: No news is good news.

• Diseases: measles, mumps, rickets.

• Games: billiards, draughts.

Examples:

• Mathematics is his favorite subject.

• Measles is infectious.

• Billiards is my favorite game.

Collective Nouns

Some collective nouns, though singular in form, are used as plurals:

• poultry, cattle, vermin, people, gentry.

Examples:

• These poultry are mine.

• Whose are these cattle?

• Vermin destroy property and carry disease.

Compound Nouns

Compound nouns form their plural by adding -s to the principal word:

• commander-in-chief → commanders-in-chief

• son-in-law → sons-in-law

• daughter-in-law → daughters-in-law

• passer-by → passers-by

• man-of-war → men-of-war

Foreign Plurals

Many nouns borrowed from other languages retain their original plural forms:

1. Latin:

   • erratum → errata

   • formula → formulae (or formulas)

   • index → indices

   • memorandum → memoranda

   • radius → radii

   • terminus → termini (or terminuses)

2. Greek:

   • axis → axes

   • crisis → crises

   • phenomenon → phenomena

   • criterion → criteria

3. Italian:

   • bandit → banditti (or bandits)

4. French:

   • madame → mesdames

   • monsieur → messieurs

5. Hebrew:

   • cherub → cherubim (or cherubs)

   • seraph → seraphim (or seraphs)

Nouns with Multiple Plural Forms

Some nouns have two plural forms, each with a distinct meaning:

• brother → brothers (sons of the same parent), brethren (members of a society).

• cloth → cloths (kinds or pieces of cloth), clothes (garments).

• die → dies (stamps for coining), dice (small cubes for games).

Exercises with Detailed Examples

1. Form the plural of the following nouns:

   • box → boxes

   • knife → knives

   • child → children

   • mouse → mice

   • photo → photos

2. Identify whether the following nouns are singular or plural:

   • sheep (singular/plural)

   • scissors (plural)

   • news (singular)

   • trousers (plural)

3. Rewrite the following sentences by changing the nouns to plural:

   • The man sat on the chair. → The men sat on the chairs.

   • The child played with a toy. → The children played with toys.

By systematically applying these rules and practicing with examples, learners can master the formation and usage of singular and plural nouns in English.