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NUMBER OF NOUNS
Number of nouns is another elementary topic of English grammar much disregarded in the EFL
teaching. Teachers shouldn't confine themselves to saying that the plural number is formed by adding the
-s inflexion to the singular form. In fact number of nouns constitutes a vast problem embracing such
notions as policemy, transition of meaning, use of determiners, agreement between the subject-noun and
the predicate-verb.
Number shows the difference between one and more than one. If one thing ("thing" in a wide sense of
the word) is meant, we use the singular number, if more than one — we use the plural number. It is wrong
to say that the plural expresses number, it does not, it signals the meaning of "not one."
More attention should be given to the formation of the plural number of nouns since it is far more
difficult a problem than we think and it should be treated accordingly.
The plural number is formed with the help of the ending -s or -es.
bees dogs looks watches
days pencils maps boxes
flowers spoons seats wishes
In the following fourteen nouns the final -f is changed into -v and -es is added:
calf knife loaf shelf wharf
elf life seat thief wolf
half leaf self wife
E.g. calves, elves, halves.
All the others have -fs: proofs, cliffs, gulfs.
Some nouns may have either -ves or -fs in the plural number: scarf, dwarf, hoof.
If a noun ends in -o, -es is added in the plural number: tomatoes, potatoes, vetoes. Only -s is added if a
noun ends in a vowel + o: bamboos, studios, zoos; in proper names: Romeos, Eskimos, Philipinos; in
abbreviations: kilos, photos, pros (professionals); also: stereos, discos, videos, pianos, solos. Some other
nouns take -s or -es: cargo, banjo, halo.
If a noun ends in -y, it is changed into -i- and -es is added: armies, duties, stories. If a vowel precedes -
y, just -s is added: boys, keys, plays.
Some old English plural forms are still used:
man — men goose — geese child — children
woman — women louse — lice ox — oxen
foot — feet mouse — mice brother — brethren
tooth — teeth
Some English nouns keep foreign plurals, sometimes English and foreign plurals are used side by side:
alumna — alumnae
alumnus — alumni
formula — formulae, formulas
index — indices, indexes
crisis — crises
criterion — criteria
phenomenon — phenomena
datum — data
nucleus — nuclei
syllabus — syllabi, syllabuses