📚 Detailed Explanation of Plural Forms

In Year 6 English, it is important to understand the form and use of plurals. Plurals tell us that there is more than one of something. For example, the word “cat” becomes “cats” when we talk about two or more cats. This section will explain the different rules for making plurals, including common endings, spelling changes, and irregular plurals.

🔍 What Are Plurals?

A plural is the form of a noun that means more than one. Most nouns become plural by adding an ending to the singular noun. The singular noun is the form used when there is only one. For example:

  • Singular: book
  • Plural: books

This means one book or many books.

📏 Common Rules for Making Plurals

  1. Add -s
    For most nouns, simply add -s to make them plural.
    – dog → dogs
    – pen → pens
    – car → cars

  2. Add -es
    If the noun ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add -es instead of just -s.
    – bus → buses
    – brush → brushes
    – box → boxes

  3. Change y to ies
    If a noun ends with a consonant followed by -y, change the -y to -ies for the plural.
    – baby → babies
    – city → cities
    – puppy → puppies
    But if the noun ends with a vowel + y (like boy), just add -s.
    – boy → boys

  4. Irregular Plurals
    Some nouns do not follow regular rules. They change spelling completely or stay the same. These are called irregular plurals. Examples:
    – man → men
    – woman → women
    – child → children
    – tooth → teeth
    – foot → feet
    – mouse → mice
    – sheep → sheep (same in singular and plural)

✏️ Examples of Plurals in Sentences

  • I saw three cats playing in the garden.
  • The girls have many buses to choose from for their trip.
  • There are five babies sleeping in the nursery.
  • The men are working hard at the construction site.
  • She has two mice as pets.
  • The farmer has several sheep in the field.

💡 Tips for Remembering Plurals

  • When adding -es, think about the sounds at the end of the word.
  • Remember to change y to ies only if a consonant comes before it.
  • Learn irregular plurals by practising with flashcards or quizzes.
  • Practice writing sentences using plurals to get comfortable using them.

Understanding these plural rules helps in writing and speaking clearly. Keep practising different words and even try finding plural nouns in books or around you!

📝 20 Examination-Style Questions on Plural Forms with Answers

📋 Form and Use Plurals: Review for Year 6 English

Here are 20 examination-style questions on plural forms to help Year 6 students review forming plurals from singular nouns, recognising correct plural forms, correcting mistakes, and irregular plural forms.

❓ Questions

  1. Write the plural form of this noun:
    fox
  2. Which of these is the correct plural of baby?
    a) babys
    b) babies
    c) babyes
  3. Write the plural of knife.
  4. Choose the correct plural form:
    mouse
    a) mouses
    b) mice
    c) mices
  5. Write the plural form of sheep.
  6. What is the plural of child?
  7. Correct the plural form in this sentence:
    “There are many leafs on the ground.”
  8. Write the plural form of city.
  9. Which is the correct plural for potato?
    a) potatoes
    b) potatoes
    c) potatos
  10. Write the plural form of hero.
  11. Choose the correct plural:
    person
    a) persons
    b) people
    c) peopels
  12. Write the plural form of glass.
  13. What is the plural of foot?
  14. Change this singular noun to plural:
    tooth
  15. Correct the plural in this sentence:
    “The cats chased the mousees.”
  16. Write the plural form of child in a sentence:
    “The ___ are playing in the park.”
  17. Choose the correct plural form:
    box
    a) boxs
    b) boxen
    c) boxes
  18. What is the plural of man?
  19. Write the plural of lady.
  20. Correct the plural mistake:
    “There are three cactuses in the garden.”

✅ Answers

  1. foxes
  2. b) babies
  3. knives
  4. b) mice
  5. sheep
  6. children
  7. leaves
  8. cities
  9. b) potatoes
  10. heroes
  11. b) people
  12. glasses
  13. feet
  14. teeth
  15. mice
  16. children
  17. c) boxes
  18. men
  19. ladies
  20. cacti

📌 Study Tip:

Remember that most nouns add -s or -es to make plurals, but some have irregular forms like child → children or mouse → mice. Always check if the noun changes completely or stays the same in plural!