Plural Nouns

When do you use -es and when do you use -s?

Plural nouns refer to words used to denote more than one person, place, thing, or idea. In English, most nouns form their plural by simply adding an -s to the end of the word. For example, "cat" becomes "cats" and "book" becomes "books."

However, some nouns require adding -es instead of just -s to form their plural. This typically happens when the singular noun ends in certain letters or sounds. Specifically, nouns ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z take -es to make them plural. This rule helps maintain the correct pronunciation and flow of the word. For instance, "bus" becomes "buses," "brush" becomes "brushes," and "box" becomes "boxes."

The addition of -es ensures that the plural form of these words is easily distinguishable in spoken and written English, preventing confusion and preserving the natural sound of the language.

Review these fun and interactive -es or -s flashcards with your reader.

Here’s a fun game for your tiny reader to play to practice their -es vs. -s skills!