Singular & Plural

• Singular means one; plural means more than one.
• Most nouns add -s: cat → cats.
• Nouns ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x add -es: box → boxes.
• Nouns ending in consonant + y change y to i and add -es: baby → babies.
• Some plurals are irregular: child → children, mouse → mice, sheep → sheep.

Level 1 — Core idea

Verbal: One cat, many cats — just add -s.

Symbolic: box + es = boxes. baby → bab(y→i) + es = babies.

Visual: Rule chart: -s (most words), -es (s/sh/ch/x endings), -ies (consonant + y).

Level 2 — Going deeper

Some words ending in -f/-fe change to -ves: leaf → leaves, knife → knives. Irregular plurals do not follow any rule and must be memorised: man → men, foot → feet, sheep → sheep.

NCERT anchor

NCERT Class 3 English grammar sections practise plural rules with everyday classroom objects and animals.

What is the plural of 'city'?

Step 1 — Ends in consonant + y (t + y)
Step 2 — Change y to i, add -es
Step 3 — Answer: cities ✓

What is the plural of 'child'?

Step 1 — 'child' does not follow the -s rule
Step 2 — It is an irregular plural
Step 3 — Answer: children ✓

• What is the plural of 'dish'?
• What is the plural of 'story'?
• What is the plural of 'foot'?
• Stretch: Write the plural of 'leaf' and use it in a sentence.

Revision tip: Check the last letter(s) of the word before choosing -s, -es, or -ies.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Singular & Plural.