But a quick check of a reputable dictionary reveals that memorandums is perfectly acceptable. Some people get all agitated when they see the plural of memorandum formed by adding ‑s: memorandums. Everyone knows that the plural of child is children, the plural of foot is feet, the plural of woman is women, and man-men, and louse-lice. Then we have a fairly long list of words that form their plurals in varying ways. Some nouns ending in a consonant and an ‑o, just add ‑ es.Īnd for those ending in a vowel and an ‑o, just add ‑ s. Nouns ending in ‑s, ‑ss, ‑ce, ‑sh, ‑ch, ‑tch, ‑ge, ‑dge, ‑x, and ‑ze, just add ‑ es. Nouns ending in a consonant and a ‑ y, change ‑ y to ‑ i and add ‑ es.īut proper names ending in a consonant and a ‑ y, just add ‑ s.īut nouns ending in a vowel and a ‑ y, just add ‑ s. If you don’t add an -s to form the plural of a noun, chances are you’ll add ‑es. Simply download the eBook Rules on Punctuation. If you violate the “just add -s” rule and use the apostrophe, you need to study the apostrophe. Words referred to as words, italicize the word and add a nonitalicized -s. She was stuck in the 1960s.Īcronyms or abbreviations, just add ‑s (if periods do not appear) The young couple set up two IRAs. Italicized videotape or book, just add -s and don’t italicize the ‑s. But: She writes her I’s in a strange way.
The tribe had three Igors and two Ambers.Ĭapital letters, just add - s, unless the result would be ambiguous. Here are some examples of the “just add ‑ s” rule in action: You should use the apostrophe only when you must avoid an ambiguity. Many people violate the “just add ‑s” rule, often by using an “apostrophe ‑s” to form the plural. (Some pronouns have this ability as well, e.g., other and others.) You will form the plural for most nouns by adding ‑s or ‑es.Ĭonsider these plurals formed by the “just add - s” rule: Plural nouns do not use an apostrophe.Notice that words are characterized as nouns by their ability to form plurals. Remember that the possessive uses an apostrophe + -s after the noun. ( possessive: the leaves belonging to this tree are falling).
The oak tree's leaves are falling to the ground.I need to buy some sunglasses ( not I need to buy a sunglasses).įinal Note: Possessives versus Plural Nounsįinally, be careful not to confuse plural nouns with possessive nouns.I need to buy a new pair of sunglasses.Note: We often say a "pair of" : pair of jeans / a pair of pants / a pair of glasses / a pair of scissors Possessions / ownership: riches, belongings, earnings, valuables Also, some tools that have two blades or parts are plural.Ĭlothes: pants, trousers, jeans, leggings, shorts, tights, pantyhose, stockings, pajamasįor the eyes: glasses, goggles, binoculars, sunglasses Many of these things are a single item that has two connected parts.įor example, clothing items that cover the bottom and have two parts for each leg (e.g. We use the following always in the plural form. The chart below can help you remember these few rules. Sorry, you'll have to memorize them (see some examples below under irregular plural nouns). *Note: Unfortunately, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If a noun ends with either -f or -fe, change these letters to a -v and add -es. Rule 3: Change nouns ending in -f or -fe to -ves You need both otherwise if the word ends in just a -y it will be regular. * Be sure to understand that you need a consonant plus a -y at the end of the word.
* Did you remember there are 21 consonant letters in the English written alphabet: b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z.] If a noun ends with a consonant plus a -y, then change the -y to an -i and add -es. words ending in - ss: bo ss - bo ss es, ki ss - ki ss es, busine ss - busine ss es.