Plurals/_s/_es/_ies -Number - Gender - Noun-Parts Of Speech-ESL/Learn English Grammar

Next Lessons | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |


III. Plurals formed by Adding -s or -es.



42. Instead of _-s,_ the ending _-es_ is added--


(1) If a word ends in a letter which cannot add _-s_ and be

pronounced. Such are _box, cross, ditch, glass, lens, quartz_, etc.


[Sidenote: -Es added in certain cases.]


If the word ends in a _sound_ which cannot add _-s_, a new syllable is

made; as, _niche--niches, race--races, house--houses, prize--prizes,

chaise--chaises_, etc.


_-Es_ is also added to a few words ending in -o, though this sound

combines readily with _-s_, and does not make an extra syllable:

_cargo--cargoes, negro--negroes, hero--heroes, volcano--volcanoes_,

etc.


Usage differs somewhat in other words of this class, some adding _-s_,

and some _-es_.


(2) If a word ends in _-y_ preceded by a consonant (the _y_ being then

changed to _i_); e.g., _fancies, allies, daisies, fairies_.


[Sidenote: Words in -ies.]


Formerly, however, these words ended in _-ie_, and the real ending is

therefore _-s_. Notice these from Chaucer (fourteenth century):--


[Sidenote: Their old form.]


The _lilie_ on hir stalke grene.

Of _maladie_ the which he hadde endured.


And these from Spenser (sixteenth century):--


Be well aware, quoth then that _ladie_ milde.

At last fair Hesperus in highest _skie_

Had spent his lampe.


(3) In the case of some words ending in -_f_ or -_fe_, which have

the plural in _-ves_: _calf_--_calves_, _half_--_halves_,

_knife_--_knives_, _shelf_--_shelves_, etc.



Next Lessons | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |