Editor's Corner

For the next couple of days, I am going to tackle the topic of plural nouns. Today, I’ll discuss regular plural nouns, then we’ll look at an incomplete list of irregular plural nouns. Tomorrow, we’ll move on to unchanging nouns. Can’t wait? Let’s get started!

For most regular plural nouns, all you have to do is add an -s to the noun.

· book/books

· idea/ideas

If the word ends in –y, you change the –y to –ie and add an –s.

· galaxy/galaxies

· armory/armories

But ask any English language learner, and you’ll quickly find out that, in English, there are a lot of other rules for pluralizing nouns and a passel of irregular plural nouns too. I found the following list on the University of Victoria website. It’s not comprehensive, but it’s a good start.

Most of you know these rules instinctively. But imagine having to memorize them all now! English is not an easy language to learn.

Tune in tomorrow for information about the final item in the table: unchanging nouns (you lucky ducks!).

Donna Bradley Burcher | Senior Technical Editor | Symitar®

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