Singular number and the plural number in English are explained along with definition, types, a lot of examples, rules. In this post, we are going to look at the rules and usage of numbers in English along with their suitable examples. Let’s get started. What is Number in English? Singular & Plural Number in English Number in the English Language is an essential grammatical element. It helps us determine the number of, nouns,pronouns,verbs, andother determiners. Types of Numbers in English Usually, in English, there are two types of numbers; Singular numbers andPlural numbers. Well, to put it simply, singular indicates the single quantity of something. Like for example, A cat - it means only one no. of cat.On the other hand, plural indicates more than one or many, like many cats. Like for example, a team of football players. This concept can be applied to nouns, pronouns, verbs, and other determiners. It helps us understand the quantity of any element that is being referred to. Now, one can also change the singular form to the plural form as per requirement. Like for example, A cow being singular will become cows in the plural. Singular & Plural Numbers Example Some other examples of this sort can be: Numbers Example for Noun Singular: Dog,mouse. Plural: Dogs,mice. Numbers Example for Pronoun Singular: I,you,me,he,she,him,her it. Plural: Us,them,we,you,they. Numbers Example for Verb Singular: I am,he is,she was. Plural: You are,they were,they have. Numbers Example for Determiner Singular: A,an,my,your,this,that,his,her. Plural: These,those,your,our,their. However, as you can see, just using an ‘s’ after the singular noun will not always make the singular noun into a plural one. There are some other suffixes and rules as well that one has to learn. Below I am listing all these rules one by one. Check worksheets for Number in English for practice. Rules to Change from Singular to Plural Number The First Rule We can use ‘s’ at the end of the singular nouns to make them plural. This is one of the most common and frequently used techniques to make nouns plural. Some examples can be: Dog - DogsCat - CatsPencil - PencilsBall - BallsBook - BooksPen - Pens The Second Rule There are words that end with suffixes like s, sh, ch, x, and z. For these words, we need to use “es” to make them plural. Some examples of this type can be: Branch - BranchesBus - BusesDish - DishesAsh - AshesFox - Foxes The Third Rule There are some unique words where we need to change the vowel in the middle to make them plural. For example, Mouse - MiceFoot - FeetWoman - WomenMan - MenTooth - Teeth The Fourth Rule Usually, if there is a word that ends with ‘ch’, but the sound it carries is much more like ‘K’, all you need to do is add an ‘s’ in the end to make them plural. For example, Matriarch - MatriarchsPatriarch - PatriarchsHierarch - HierarchsStomach - StomachsMonarch - Monarchs The Fifth Rule If we have words where it ends with a ‘y’ and has consonant before that, an ‘I’ will substitute the ‘y’, and “es” will be added to make it plural. Some examples can be: Army - ArmiesBaby - BabiesHobby - HobbiesStory - StoriesFly - Flies The Sixth Rule The words that end with ‘f’ or “fe”, will be replaced by ‘v’, and “es” will be added to make them plural. Some examples can be: Knife - KnivesWife - WivesLeaf - LeavesThief - ThievesWolf - Wolves The Seventh Rule If a word ends with ‘y’ but instead of a consonant, there is a vowel, behind it then we can only add an ‘s’ to make them plural. Some examples can be: Toy - ToysJoy - JoysPlay - PlaysDay - Days The Eighth Rule If a noun ends with ‘o”, “es” can be added to make them plural. This works when there is a consonant before the ‘o’. Like for example, Zero - ZeroesHero - HeroesPotato - PotatoesMango - Mangoes However, if there is a vowel before the ‘o’, we can only add ‘s’ to make them plural. Example, Studio - StudiosBamboo - BamboosCameo - CameosPortfolio - Portfolios Also, there are some exceptions to these rules as well. There are a few words where these rules will not be used to make them plural. For example, Piano - PianosPhoto - PhotosCanto - CantosPortico - Porticos/porticoesMosquito - Mosquitos/mosquitoesMemento - Mementos/mementoes The Ninth Rule To make some words plural, you will have to use suffixes like en, ren, and ne. Example, Ox - OxenChild - Children The Tenth Rule If the word ends with “ful”, we can add “s” to make it plural. Example, Mouthful - mouthfulsSpoonful - SpoonfulsCupful - cupfulsHandful - Handfuls The Eleventh Rule For compound nouns, adding an “s” can help you turn them into plurals. This is feasible for a variety of scenarios. Let’s look at a few examples to understand them better. Example, Passers-by - Passers-byCommander-in-chief - Commanders-in-chiefMaid-servant - Maid-servantsStep-brother - Step-brothers But that’s not all; some other examples can be Man-servant - Men-servantsWoman-servant - Women-servantsMajor-general - Major-generalsBook-case - Book-casesPoet-laurete - Poet-lauretesBook-shelf - Book-shelves The Twelfth Rule There are a few singular nouns that do not have any plural and always need to be used in the singular sense. Similarly, there are nouns that always need to be used in the plural sense. For example, BreadIssueSceneryExpenditureFurniture On the other hand TrousersScissorsMumpsSpectaclesAssets The Thirteenth Rule There are a few words that seem like singular nouns, but in reality, they are plurals. On the other hand, a few nouns seem like plural nouns but are actually singular nouns. Example, PeasantryGovernmentPeopleCattleMankind On the other hand PoliticsEthicsWagesPhysics Conclusion So, there you have it, all the rules regarding the use of English numbers. Should you have any further queries regarding this topic, please feel free to mention them in the comments below.
