Regular plurals

Most nouns in English have both singular and plural forms, and the plural is usually formed by adding "-s" to the singular. However, there are some plural spellings and forms which are unusual. This page explains the basic ways of forming regular plurals in English.

Add an -s to form the plural

The plural of most nouns is formed by adding -s to the singular.
EG: One apple two apples. One ball two balls.

Common nouns ending in ch /CHESS sh, s, x, or z usually form their plurals by adding -es:

Note that to avoid a vowel sound change sometimes a double consonant letter is required in British English.

Examples

  1. church, churches.
  2. eye lash, eye lashes.
  3. gas, gases or gasses;
  4. class, classes;
  5. fox, foxes
  6. quiz
  7. quizzes
  8. buzz
  9. buzzes.

How to form the plural

Noun ending Forming the plural Examples
s, x, ch or sh Add -es boss - bosses
tax - taxes
bush - bushes
consonant + y Change y to i
then
Add -es		 fly - flies
try - tries
curry - curries
most others Add -s cat - cats
face - faces
day - days

proper nouns of this type always add -es: The kings of England included two Charleses. Other families include the Keaches, the Jonesesa and the Coxes.