English

Words can also be classified as either singular or plural. This refers to the word’s number. If a word specifies just one person, place, etc., it is considered to be singular. Nouns, pronouns, demonstrative adjectives, and verbs can be classified by number. The following examples highlight the changes between singular and plural forms of each part of speech listed above.

  • Noun: The desk is clean. The desks are cluttered.
  • Pronoun: He goes to the store. They go to the store.
  • Demonstrative adjective: This is mine. These are yours.
  • Verb: He chases the cat. They chase the cat.

Singular nouns are transformed into plural nouns by adding “-s”  or “-es” at the end of the word.

  • car, cars
  • tomato, tomatoes

There are also some unique cases where spelling changes to form a plural noun. Some examples include:

  • man, men
  • foot, feet
  • knife, knives

Also remember that nouns that refer to a collection of people, things, etc. indicate more than one, but are still classified as singular.

  • team
  • family
  • audience
Last revised on June 13, 2019.