One and Many
Naming Words: One and Many
One and Many
One and Many
NCERT anchor: NCERT English Mridang Class 1 — singular and plural naming words
What you'll learn
- A naming word can show one (singular) or many (plural).
- Make a naming word show many by adding -s: cat → cats.
- Use one and many naming words correctly in sentences.
Key concepts
1. One thing
Level 1 (Verbal): One dog, one ball — no extra letter needed.
2. Many things
Level 1 (Verbal): For many, add -s to the end: dog → dogs, ball → balls.
Level 2 (Symbolic): dog + s = dogs.
Visual: One picture of a cat, then three pictures of cats labelled "cats".
3. Using one/many in sentences
Verbal: "I have one book." "I have many books."
Worked example
Changing "one hat" to "many hats"
Step 1 — Start with one hat.
Step 2 — To show many, add -s to hat.
Step 3 — hat + s = hats.
Answer: many hats.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Adding -es to every word | Most words only need -s at this level | Add just -s for regular naming words |
| Doubling the last letter | Not needed for simple plurals like cat → cats | Just add -s at the end |
| Forgetting the -s completely | Many needs the extra letter to show more than one | Always add -s for many |
Quick check
- One cat, many ___?
- One book, many ___?
- Is pens one or many?
- Stretch: Write the plural of bag, cup, and star.
Revision tip: Count objects around you and say "one ___" then "many ___s".
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on One and Many.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- What you'll learn
- Key concepts
- Worked example
- Common mistakes
Master this topic with Drishti OS
Get unlimited mock tests, AI-powered mentorship, and complete video courses when you join.
Start Free Practice