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Why Grammar? Christian Worldview Many of us that attended government school either never understood the importance of grammar or did not care. Some only performed the grammar exercises since it was required and/or we did not want to get "in trouble." This is so sad because grammar is not just about the mechanics of language, but has a Christian worldview behind it. Grammar, as in all things in creation, points us to our Lord.
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.
| lamp | lamps |
| cat | cats |
| fork | forks |
| flower | flowers |
| pen | pens |
Exercise: Write the plural of each of these nouns
| chair | star | farm |
| storm | door | rock |
| owner | paper | cup |
Rule #2
Nouns ending in s, z, x, sh, and ch form the plural by adding - es.
| moss | mosses |
| buzz | buzzes |
| box | boxes |
| dish | dishes |
| church | churches |
Exercise: Write the plural of each of these nouns
| dress | brush | hex |
| wish | class | fox |
| cross | bench | bush |
| ax | grass | mantis |
Special Note:
If you add - s to such nouns as fox, bush, and bench, you will find that you cannot pronounce them without making an additional syllable. This is why such nouns form the plural by adding - es.
Quick Review
| box | cats | slipper | forks | books |
| chair | desk | houses | paper | wagon |
| lamps | shoes | garden | horses | dress |
| dog | carts | kitchen | pony | glass |
| chair | star | pencil | girl | boy |
| ax | bush | coat | tree | bench |
| sketch | owner | touch | latch | mug |
| bells | churches | wagons | coals | pictures |
| clocks | boxes | kitchens | basins | chairs |
| days | houses | pencils | trees | tables |
Rule #3
Nouns ending in - y preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by changing - y to - ies.
Examples: lady, ladies; city, cities; army, armies
| fly | baby | pony | injury | cherry |
| lady | beauty | story | history | berry |
| city | sky | duty | study | theory |
Rule #4
Nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel form their plurals by adding - s.
Example: boy, boys; day, days
| day | toy | essay | turkey | chimney |
| play | joy | valley | alley | volley |
Rule #5
Most nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by adding es. Example: hero; heroes; grotto, grottoes
| motto | calico | buffalo | hero |
| potato | cargo | volcano | grotto |
| mosquito* | tomato | halo* | tornado* |
| buffalo* | portico* | veto |
*may add - s or - es
| canto | solo | piano | lasso |
| halo | memento | albino | sirocco |
Special Note:
Most nouns ending in o preceded by a vowel is formed into a plural by adding - s.
Example: folio, folios; cameo; cameos; studio, studios; portfolio, portfolios
Rule #6
Some nouns ending in f or fe are made plural by changing f or fe to - ves.
Example: beef, beeves; wife, wives
| calf | self | leaf | sheaf | life |
| loaf | shelf | half | wolf | knife |
| elf | half | thief | wife | gulf |
| chief | dwarf* | proof | turf |
| chief, chiefs | fife, fifes | mischief, mischiefs | hoof, hoofs |
| roof, roofs | grief, griefs | kerchief, kerchiefs | safe, safes |
IRREGULAR PLURALS
| man, men | foot, feet | mouse, mice |
| woman, women | tooth, teeth | louse, lice |
| child, children | ox, oxen | goose, geese |
scissors |
oats |
tongs |
dregs |
| trousers | pinchers | bellows | snuffers |
| cattle | shears | measles | mumps |
| victuals | tweezers | vespers |
Some nouns are always singular. Some of these nouns may be used in the plural when different kinds are meant as sugars, coffees, cottons
| gold | silver | wheat | corn |
| molasses | copper | sugar | cotton |
Singular nouns use this and that.
Plural nouns use these and those.
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