THE NOUN - NUMBER

(1.Singular Number, 2.Plural Number)
Definition :
Numbers are often used before nouns to tell you exactly how many people or things there are.

Numbers are adjectives, too. They tell us how many people, animals, or things there are. Sometimes they are called adjectives of quantity.

e.g.

I have two childrensWe bought three books
two princesseven elvessixteen snails
one gianta hundredmany more
 

1. Singular Number :

Definition :
A noun that denotes only ONE person or thing is said to be in the SINGULAR NUMBER.

e.g.

BookBasisIndex

2. Plural Number :

Definition :
A noun that denotes MORE THAN ONE person or thing is said to be in the PLURAL NUMBER.

e.g.

BooksBasesIndices
Formation of Plurals
The usual construction of plural nouns from singular nouns is to add -s to the end of a word.

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
BirdBirdsBoyBoys
DogDogsChairChairs
CatCatsTableTables
CowCowsDeskDesks
Nouns ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -o, -x, or -z form the plural by adding -es to the singular; as,

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
BusBusesMatchMatches
BrushBrushesTaxTaxes
MangoMangoesHeroHeroes
BuzzBuzzesKisKisses
A few nouns ending in -o merely add -s; as,

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
DynamoDynamosPianoPianos
RatioRatiosMementoMementos
PhotoPhotosStereo Siereos
LogoLogosCantoCantos
videovideoszoozoos
kangarookangarooshippohippos
Nouns ending in -y, preceded by a consonant, form their plural by changing –y into –i and adding –es,

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
CityCitiesDutyDuties
BabyBabiesLadyLadies
ArmyArmiesStoryStories
Nouns ending in -y, preceded by a vowels, form their plural by adding –s to the singular,

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
BoyBoysDayDays
MonkeyMonkeysKeyKeys
ToyToysWayWays
Nouns ending in -f or -fe form their plural by changing -for -fe into v and adding -es ; as,

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
CalfCalvesThiefThieves
LeafeLeavesKnifeKnives
SelfSelvesWifeWives
some nouns that end in f are made plural simply by adding s.

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
chiefchiefshandkerchiefhandkerchiefs
roofroofscliffcliffs
Some nouns that end in f can be made plural in two ways.

e.g.

SingularPluralPlural
scarfscarfsscarves
hoofhoofshooves
wharfwharfswharves
dwarfdwarfsdwarves

Irregular nouns :

A few nouns form their plural by changing the inside vowel of the singlar; as,

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
ManMenThiefThieves
WomanWomenToothTheeth
AnalysisAnalysesGooseGeese
A few nous form their plural by adding –en to singular: as

e.g.

SingularPluralSingularPlural
OxOxenChildchildren
Some nouns have the singular and the plural alike.

e.g.

SheepDeerSwineCod
Troutsalmonaircraftspacecraft
Seriesspeciespairscore
Hundredthousand (when used after numerals)gross
Some nouns are used only in the plural.

These nouns are always plural.

e.g.

ScissorsSpectaclesTongsTrousers
DrawersDraughtsJeanspyjamas
MumpsMeaslesBilliardsAssets
thankstidingsaimsriches
shortspantsbinocularsscissors
Some nouns are used commonly in Singular.

The following nouns look plural but are in fact singular

e.g.

CivicsMathsNewsPhysics
electronicsmeaslesbilliardsPolitics
Certain collective Nouns though singular in form, are always used as plurals: as

e.g.

poultrycattlepeoplegentry
Some nouns given different meaning when they are in singular and plural.

e.g.

SingularMeaningPluralMeaning
AirGas around usAirsunnatural manners
GoodFine, niceGoods Luggage
Coppera kind of metalCopperspolice men
Wood TimberWoods forest
Compass RangeCompasses an instrument for drawing circles
Respect RegardRespects Compliments
Physic medicinePhysics natural science
Force strengthForces troops
The plural form for numbers and letters is made by adding apostrophe and s.

e.g.

do’s and don’tsTwo 2’s are four

Learning Competency

Defining relative clause
When a clause defines the noun it qualifies it is known as a defining relative clause.