Count Nouns
Count nouns are individual countable items. They can not been seen as a mass or a group. They have singular and plural forms. The plural is usually formed by adding –s or –es to the end of the singular version. For example: a cup, two cups; a pencil, four pencils; a child, two children.
Noncount Nouns
Noncount nouns are abstract concepts such as a collection or a group and do not have an individual form. For example: furniture, mail, sadness, traffic. These do not form plurals. Instead, articles and other modifiers are used to indicate the amount.
This piece of furniture looks nice.
I received several pieces of mail.
There are a few words that are both count and noncount. For example: John caught several fish. (It is improper to use fishes.)
Plural Nouns
The proper way to make a singular noun plural is to add the –s or –es to the end. If a word ends in a consonant, add –s, if it ends with the letter -s add –es.
cat – cats
dog – dogs
glass – glasses
If the word ends in -ch, -sh, -x or -z, add the –es.
lunch – lunches
fox – foxes
buzz – buzzes
If the word ends in –y, change the –y to an –i and add –es.
sky – skies
baby – babies
There are a few irregular nouns to watch out for as well. This is just a sampling.
child – children
foot – feet
goose – geese
man – men
mouse – mice
ox – oxen
mother-in-law – mothers in law
alumnus – alumni
datum – data
Next week: Possessive Nouns
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