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This is “Singulars and Plurals”, section 1.5 (from appendix 1) from the book Writers' Handbook (v. 1.0). For details on it (including licensing), click here.
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21.5 Singulars and Plurals
English count nouns have singular and plural forms. Typically, these nouns are formed by adding -
Singular Nouns
Plural Nouns
dog dogs (-
table tables (-
peach peaches (-
wish wishes (-
kiss kisses (-
man men (atypical)
sheep sheep (atypical)
tooth teeth (atypical)
child children (atypical)
alumnus alumni (atypical)
leaf leaves (atypical)
Proper nouns are typically either singular or plural. Plural proper nouns usually have no singular form, and singular proper nouns usually have no plural form.
Singular Proper Nouns
Plural Proper Nouns
Kentucky Sawtooth Mountains
Alex The Everglades
Noncount nouns typically have only one form that is basically a singular form. To quantify them, you can add a preceding phrase.
Noncount Nouns
Sentences with Noncount Nouns and Quantifying Phrases
gas We put twelve gallons of gas in the car this morning.
anguish After years of anguish, he finally found happiness.
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