Plural Forms Agenda n SingularPlural Forms n Subject

Plural Forms

Agenda n Singular/Plural Forms n Subject Verb Agreement: Exceptions n Plural Forms and Apostrophe n Possessive Case and Plural n Basic Rules and Exceptions n Common Mistakes

Singular/Plural Form General form : adding s n Words that end in -o, -ch, x, s or s-like sounds: adding es n Words that end in y : change the y sound to an i sound add s or es n Words that end in -f or –fe : change the f sound to a v sound add s or es n

Singular/Plural Form (cont. ) Maintain their Latin or Greek form n Irregular forms have to be memorized n Example: Singular Plural circuit potato witch box potatoes circuits witches boxes baby knife nucleus phenomenon woman child babie s knives nuclei phenomena women children

Subject Verb Agreement: Exceptions Nouns that appear to be plural in form can take a singular verb: The news is good. n Gymnastics is fun to watch. n Numerical expressions: usually singular, but can be plural if the individuals within a numerical group are acting individually: Fifty thousand dollars is a lot of money. n One-half of the faculty is retiring this summer n

Subject Verb Agreement: Exceptions Nouns seem to be singular in nature take a plural form: My pants are torn. n Her scissors were stolen. n Collective nouns: singular - think of them as groups plural - think of the individuals A dozen is probably not enough. n A dozen are coming over this afternoon. n

Plural Forms and Apostrophe n Apostrophes are used for two main reasons. 1. They are used to show possession Example: the engineer’s desk 2. to show that words have been contracted. Examples: He's = He is. It’s = It is With contractions, the apostrophe must be placed where the letters or numbers are missing.

Possessive Plural Noun • Possessive plural noun ending with an s, add ‘ only For Example: Engineers’ desks are often full of papers. • Possessive plural noun not ending with an s, add ‘ s For Example: The women’s room is closed today.

Basic Rules 1. Before placing the apostrophe decide whether the possessive noun should be singular or plural. Example: the engineer’s desk 1. If the noun should be plural make it plural first, and then make it possessive. Example: the engineers’ desks 1. Apostrophe -s (‘s) does not make a noun plural. For Example: Mr. Jones’s experiment

Exception Option n Just add the ‘ if all of the following is true – The noun is a name of a person or a thing – Has two or more syllables – Ends with an S sound For Example: Al Martinez’ son is an honor student

Common Mistakes A sign to thank volunteers for sandbagging the river read: "You saved our buildings basement. Thank you, volunteer's !" Correct: "You saved our buildings’ basement. Thank you, volunteers !"

More Information Reference: http: //www. ccc. commnet. edu/grammar/plurals. htm http: //www. ccc. commnet. edu/grammar/possessives. htm http: //www. onthenet. com. au/~townsend http: //www. meredith. edu/grammar http: //www. luminet. net http: //dl. cccd. edu/classes/internet/english 105 http: //babelnet. sbg. ac. at/themepark/castle/pluralform. htm

Plural Forms: Quiz n Please take the Plural Forms Quiz on Web. CT now.