Nouns change spelling when there are two or more (2+) people, places, things, or ideas; these nouns are plural.
The chart below describes the guidelines for spelling the plural forms of nouns.
| GUIDELINES | SINGULAR | PLURAL |
|
Most regular nouns: Add –s |
desk | desks |
|
Regular nouns ending in the sound -s, -sh, -ch, or –x: Add –es |
bench | benches |
|
Nouns ending in –y: Change to -ies |
battery | batteries |
|
Nouns ending in -f: Change to -ves |
leaf | leaves |
| Nouns that change spelling | child | children |
| Nouns that do not change spelling | fish | fish |
Some nouns, called collective nouns, may sound plural, but their meaning is usually singular: