Practice Makes Perfect

Plurals

Most English pluralsare formed quite simply. Just add -sto the end

of a noun:

dog dogs

building buildings

However, if the noun ends in -s, -ss, -z, -x, -ch, or -sh, add -esto form

the plural:

boss bosses

box boxes

witch witches

dish dishes

If the noun ends in a consonant plus -y, change the -yto -i, then

add -es:

lady ladies

penny pennies

Words that end in -oare a special problem. Some form their plural

by adding -s, and others form their plural by adding -es. Look at

these examples:

Singular Plural -s Singular Plural -es

auto autos potato potatoes

piano pianos hero heroes

alto altos echo echoes

zoo zoos veto vetoes

solo solos cargo cargoes

Consult a dictionary to know precisely which plural ending to use

with words that end in -o.

There are a few words that form the plural with an -s ending but

also require a consonant change in which fchanges to v:

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Unit 11

04 (062-076) Units 10-13 11/3/04 1:41 PM Page 65

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