###What does it mean to make a noun plural?
You form a **plural noun** when you add an ending or change the noun to show that there is more than one of it.
When you have one terrifying clown, *clown* is singular. But when you have 19 terrifying clowns, you have the plural form of *clowns*—and a very upsetting situation.
###Forming regular plural nouns
**Regular plural nouns** follow predictable rules when you change them from singular (one) to plural (more than one). To create regular plural nouns, you just add *-s, -es,* or *-ies* to the end of the word.
**Singular** | **Plural** | **Rule** -| - | - | - gnome | gnomes | Add *-s* to most nouns box | boxes | Add *-es* to nouns ending in *s, x, z, ch,* or *sh* city | cities | When *y* follows a consonant, change *y* to *i* and add *-es* journey | journeys | When *y* follows a vowel, add *-s* radio | radios | When *o* follows a vowel, add *-s* hero | heroes | When *o* follows a consonant, add *-s* or *-es,* depending on the word
###Forming irregular plural nouns
**Irregular plural nouns** don't follow the same rules. You have to memorize these special plurals because the nouns change in unexpected ways or don't change at all. Here are a few of the most common types of irregular plural nouns:
####Plural nouns formed by changing *f* or *fe* to *ves*
**Singular** | **Plural** -| - | - knife | knives wife | wives leaf | leaves
Note that not all nouns that end in *f* or *fe* follow this pattern! For example, the plural of *roof* is *roofs.*
####Plural nouns formed by adding *-en* to the end of a word
**Singular** | **Plural** -| - | - child | children ox | oxen
####Plural nouns formed by changing a vowel sound
Only seven words in English follow this pattern.
**Singular** | **Plural** -| - | - tooth | teeth goose | geese foot | feet woman | women man | men mouse | mice louse | lice
####Plural nouns that are the same as the singular form
**Singular** | **Plural** -| - | - sheep | sheep deer | deer fish | fish
###Common mistakes
**Mistake #1: Adding *-s* to irregular plurals**
>❌ Incorrect: After the unfortunate event at the picnic, I lost two __tooths.__
>✅ Correct: After the unfortunate event at the picnic, I lost two __teeth.__
>❌ Incorrect: Three __childs__ schemed to create a clever plan that would end homework forever. Mwahahahaha!
>✅ Correct: Three __children__ schemed to create a clever plan that would end homework forever. Mwahahahaha!
Irregular plural nouns don't follow the regular *-s* or *-es* pattern. You can't just add *-s* to words like *knife,* *man,* or *foot.* These words have plural forms that you need to memorize.
**Mistake #2: Changing nouns that don't change**
>❌ Incorrect: We saw five __deers__ prancing merrily through the forest.
>✅ Correct: We saw five __deer__ prancing merrily through the forest.
Remember that some irregular plural nouns stay exactly the same in both singular and plural form. Words like *sheep*, *jeans*, *chalk*, and *moose* never add *-s*.
**Mistake #3: Forgetting the spelling rule for words ending in a consonant + *y***
>❌ Incorrect: The __storys__ were exciting, although Justin did start to snore after the first few pages.
>✅ Correct: The __stories__ were exciting, although Justin did start to snore after the first few pages.
When a word ends in a consonant plus *y* (like *city*, *family*, or *story*), change the *y* to *i* and add *-es.* If the word ends in a vowel plus *y* (like *valley* or *day*), just add *-s*.
###Remember!
Regular plurals follow patterns you can learn, like adding *-s* or *-es.* Irregular plurals break the rules and must be memorized.