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Year 1 English Grammar

Plurals

Plurals are words that mean more than one. Most words become plural by adding -s or -es to the end!

What You Need to Know

A singular noun means one thing (e.g. one cat). A plural noun means more than one (e.g. two cats). Most words become plural by adding -s (cat → cats, dog → dogs). Words ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x or -z add -es (bus → buses, dish → dishes, bench → benches). Some words are irregular — they change in a special way (child → children, mouse → mice).

Key Concepts

Add -s

cat → cats, dog → dogs

Add -es

bus → buses, box → boxes

Singular

One thing only

Irregular

child → children

Add -s

  • cat → cats
  • dog → dogs
  • book → books
  • bird → birds

Add -es

  • bus → buses
  • box → boxes
  • dish → dishes
  • bench → benches

Irregular

  • child → children
  • mouse → mice
  • tooth → teeth
  • foot → feet

Key Vocabulary

Singular

A word meaning one thing, e.g. one apple, one cat, one book.

Plural

A word meaning more than one, e.g. two apples, three cats, many books.

Regular Plural

A plural made by adding -s or -es to a word, e.g. dog → dogs, bus → buses.

Irregular Plural

A plural with a special form — not made with -s, e.g. child → children, mouse → mice.

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

What is the plural of "cat"?

Question 2

What is the plural of "box"?

Question 3

What is the irregular plural of "child"?

Question 4

Which sentence uses the correct plural?

Key Concepts Summary