Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 16: Spelling: Improving Your Spelling

Lesson 3: Plurals of Nouns

Grade 5 students learn the rules for forming noun plurals in this lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course. The lesson covers adding -s or -es, changing -y to -ies, f-to-v spelling changes, and irregular or unchanged plurals such as sheep and mice. Students practice identifying and applying the correct plural form through exercises that include both forming plurals and converting them back to singular.

Section 1

Plurals of Nouns: Adding -s and -es

Definition

Most nouns can be made plural simply by adding -s to the end of the word. Some nouns are made plural by adding -es to the end of the word.

Explanation

Listen closely when you say a plural word! If it sounds like you've added a whole new sound part (a syllable), you probably need to add -es. For example, 'bench' has one beat, but 'bench-es' has two beats. That's your clue to use -es!

Examples

  • The plural of flower is flowers. [The plural flowers has the same number of syllables as the singular flower. The plural is formed by adding -s.]
  • The plural of box is boxes. [The plural boxes has one more syllable than the singular box. The plural is formed by adding -es.]

Section 2

Plurals of Nouns Ending in -y

Definition

Many words that end in -y form the plural by changing the y to i before adding -es. If the final -y follows a vowel, keep the -y and add -s.

Explanation

When a noun ends in 'y', check the letter right before it! If it's a consonant (like b, c, d, f...), change the y to an i and add -es. But if it's a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), you just keep the y and add -s. Easy peasy!

Examples

  • The plural of puppy is puppies. [The letter before the y is a consonant (p), so you change the y to i and add -es.]
  • The plural of toy is toys. [The letter before the y is a vowel (o), so you just add -s.]

Section 3

Irregular and Unchanging Plurals

Definition

Some nouns change in other ways to form the plural. A few nouns do not change at all to form the plural.

Explanation

Some nouns are rebels! They don't follow the regular '-s' or '-es' rules. Words like 'child' become 'children,' and some, like 'sheep,' stay exactly the same. Remember, if you're ever unsure about a plural, a dictionary is your best friend. It will usually only show the plural form if it's irregular.

Examples

  • The plural of goose is geese. [This is an irregular plural that changes its spelling completely.]
  • The plural of deer is deer. [This noun does not change to form the plural.]

Book overview

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Chapter 16: Spelling: Improving Your Spelling

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Words with ie and ei

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Prefixes and Suffixes

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  3. Lesson 3Current

    Lesson 3: Plurals of Nouns

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Words Often Confused A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Words Often Confused B

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  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Words Often Confused C

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Plurals of Nouns: Adding -s and -es

Definition

Most nouns can be made plural simply by adding -s to the end of the word. Some nouns are made plural by adding -es to the end of the word.

Explanation

Listen closely when you say a plural word! If it sounds like you've added a whole new sound part (a syllable), you probably need to add -es. For example, 'bench' has one beat, but 'bench-es' has two beats. That's your clue to use -es!

Examples

  • The plural of flower is flowers. [The plural flowers has the same number of syllables as the singular flower. The plural is formed by adding -s.]
  • The plural of box is boxes. [The plural boxes has one more syllable than the singular box. The plural is formed by adding -es.]

Section 2

Plurals of Nouns Ending in -y

Definition

Many words that end in -y form the plural by changing the y to i before adding -es. If the final -y follows a vowel, keep the -y and add -s.

Explanation

When a noun ends in 'y', check the letter right before it! If it's a consonant (like b, c, d, f...), change the y to an i and add -es. But if it's a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), you just keep the y and add -s. Easy peasy!

Examples

  • The plural of puppy is puppies. [The letter before the y is a consonant (p), so you change the y to i and add -es.]
  • The plural of toy is toys. [The letter before the y is a vowel (o), so you just add -s.]

Section 3

Irregular and Unchanging Plurals

Definition

Some nouns change in other ways to form the plural. A few nouns do not change at all to form the plural.

Explanation

Some nouns are rebels! They don't follow the regular '-s' or '-es' rules. Words like 'child' become 'children,' and some, like 'sheep,' stay exactly the same. Remember, if you're ever unsure about a plural, a dictionary is your best friend. It will usually only show the plural form if it's irregular.

Examples

  • The plural of goose is geese. [This is an irregular plural that changes its spelling completely.]
  • The plural of deer is deer. [This noun does not change to form the plural.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 16: Spelling: Improving Your Spelling

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Words with ie and ei

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Prefixes and Suffixes

    LearnPractice
  3. Lesson 3Current

    Lesson 3: Plurals of Nouns

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Words Often Confused A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Words Often Confused B

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  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Words Often Confused C

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