Details of Number

What does Number mean?

In English grammar, a number is the numerical quality of a word. It indicates how many objects a word refers to. Numbers in English are of two types:

• Singular: Numerical quality that refers to one object is called singular.                     For example: One,Man,Woman,Book,Pen
• Plural: Numerical quality that refers to more than one object is called Plural.             For example: Two,Men,Women,Books,Pens

In case of Singular in English, Subject, Verb, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb, Possessive Adjective, Numeral, Article etc. are also Singular. Again in case of Plural, Subject, Verb, Pronoun, Adjective, Adverb, Possessive Adjective, Numeral, Article etc. are also Plural.

By changing the number we can change the meaning of the sentence.

For example:

• Singular: A man is reading a book.
• Plural: Men are reading books.

Here “A man” in case of Singular means a person. Again in the case of Plural “Men” means multiple people.

By changing the number we can also change the sentence structure.

For example:

• Singular: A cat is chasing a mouse.
• Plural: Cats are chasing mice.

Here “A cat” in Singular means a cat. Again in the case of Plural “Cats” means more than one cat. Here the structure of the sentence is also changed by changing the Subject of the sentence.

Rules of Singular Number

In English grammar, the general rule for Singular Number is:

Foreign plurals: If there is um at the end of the singular number, a will be placed instead of um while pluralizing. Sometimes it is plural by adding s to its singular number. For example –

Singular: Curriculum
Plural: Curricula (replacing “um” with “a”)

In this example, the singular noun “curriculum” ends in “um”. When pluralized, “um” is replaced with “a”, resulting in “curricula”. This follows the rule for foreign plurals, where “um” is replaced with “a” in certain cases to form the plural.

Singular: Magnum
Plural: Magnums

In this case, the noun “magnum” retains its “um” ending in the plural form by simply adding “s” to the singular form. While some foreign nouns follow the rule of replacing “um” with “a” in their plural form, others maintain their original ending and pluralize by adding “s”.

Here are a few rules presented in a similar manner:

• Vowel Change in Plurals: When a singular noun ends in a consonant followed by “y”, the “y” is changed to “i” before adding “es” to form the plural.
  Example:
  Singular: Baby
  Plural: Babies
• Plurals of Compound Nouns: Compound nouns form their plural by making the principal word plural.
  Example:
  Singular: Toothbrush
  Plural: Toothbrushes
• No Change in Plural: Some nouns remain the same in both singular and plural forms.
  Example:
  Singular & Plural: Sheep
• Irregular Plural Forms: Certain nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow standard rules.
  Example:
  Singular: Child
  Plural: Children
• Plural of Letters and Symbols: Letters and symbols are made plural by adding ‘s or ‘es.
  Example:
  Singular: X
  Plural: Xs (or X’s)

These rules provide guidelines for forming plural nouns in English, encompassing various patterns and exceptions encountered in pluralization.

Rules for Forming Plural Numbers from Singular Number

• Regular Pluralization:
  • The majority of singular nouns form their plural by simply adding ‘-s’ to the end. Example: Cat → Cats, Book → Books
• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-s’, ‘-ss’, ‘-sh’, ‘-ch’, ‘-x’, or ‘-z’:
  • Singular nouns ending in these sounds typically form their plural by adding ‘-es’. Example: Box → Boxes, Brush → Brushes
• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-y’:
  • When a singular noun ends in ‘-y’ preceded by a consonant, ‘-y’ changes to ‘-i’ and ‘-es’ is added. Example: Baby → Babies, City → Cities
  • If ‘-y’ is preceded by a vowel, only ‘-s’ is added to form the plural. Example: Toy → Toys, Key → Keys
• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-o’:
  • Most singular nouns ending in ‘-o’ form their plural by adding ‘-es’. Example: Potato → Potatoes, Tomato → Tomatoes
  • However, some nouns ending in ‘-o’ add only ‘-s’. Example: Piano → Pianos, Photo → Photos
• Irregular Pluralization:
  • Certain nouns undergo irregular changes to form their plurals, often due to historical or linguistic reasons. Example: Man → Men, Woman → Women, Child → Children
• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-f’ or ‘-fe’:
  • To form the plural, ‘-f’ or ‘-fe’ is changed to ‘-ves’. Example: Knife → Knives, Leaf → Leaves
• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-us’:
  • Singular nouns ending in ‘-us’ often change to ‘-i’ to form the plural. Example: Cactus → Cacti, Focus → Foci
• Singular and Plural Nouns are identical.
  • Some nouns remain the same in both singular and plural forms, which can sometimes be confusing but follow specific patterns. Example: Sheep, Deer, Fish.

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-is’: Nouns ending in ‘-is’ form their plural by replacing ‘-is’ with ‘-es’.

Example: Singular: Analysis

Plural: Analyses

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-on’: Nouns ending in ‘-on’ form their plural by replacing ‘-on’ with ‘-a’.

Example: Singular: Criterion

Plural: Criteria

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-um’: Nouns ending in ‘-um’ form their plural by replacing ‘-um’ with ‘-a’.

Example: Singular: Medium

Plural: Media

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-us’: Nouns ending in ‘-us’ form their plural by replacing ‘-us’ with ‘-i’.

Example: Singular: Alumnus

Plural: Alumni

• Pluralization of Nouns with Unchanged Form: Some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural.

Example: Singular & Plural: Deer, Sheep

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-y’ Preceded by a Vowel: When a singular noun ends in ‘-y’ preceded by a vowel, simply add ‘-s’ to form the plural.

Example: Singular: Boy

Plural: Boys

• Compound Nouns with Irregular Plural Forms: Some compound nouns have irregular plural forms where both parts of the compound are pluralized.

Example: Singular: Brother-in-law

Plural: Brothers-in-law

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-fe’ with Consonant Before ‘fe’: For nouns ending in ‘-fe’ preceded by a consonant, ‘-fe’ changes to ‘-ves’ to form the plural.

Example: Singular: Wife Plural: Wives

• Pluralization of Letters and Numerals: Letters and numerals are made plural by adding an apostrophe and ‘s’.

Example: Singular: A

Plural: A’s

• Pluralization of Words Ending in ‘-o’ with a Vowel Before ‘o’: Nouns ending in ‘-o’ preceded by a vowel simply add ‘-s’ to form the plural.

Example: Singular: Studio

Plural: Studios

• Pluralization of Collective Nouns: Collective nouns, referring to groups of individuals, can take either singular or plural verbs based on context.

Example: Singular: The committee is meeting.

Plural: The committee are divided in their opinions.

• Pluralization of Proper Nouns: Proper nouns, including names of people, places, or organizations, typically do not change in plural form.

Example: Singular & Plural: Smith, London, Microsoft.

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-man’: Nouns ending in ‘-man’ form their plural by changing ‘-man’ to ‘-men’.

Example: Singular: Woman

Plural: Women

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-s’ with an Unpronounced ‘-s’: Some nouns end in ‘-s’ but have a silent ‘-s’. These nouns form their plural by adding ‘-es’.

Example: Singular: Lens

Plural: Lenses

• Pluralization of Nouns with Greek or Latin Origins: Nouns with Greek or Latin origins may have irregular plural forms that follow their original language rules.

Example: Singular: Phenomenon

Plural: Phenomena

• Pluralization of Hyphenated Compound Nouns: For hyphenated compound nouns, the plural is formed by pluralizing the principal word.

Example: Singular: Mother-in-law

Plural: Mothers-in-law

• Pluralization of Words Borrowed from Other Languages: Words borrowed from other languages may retain their original plural forms.

Example: Singular: Octopus

Plural: Octopuses or Octopi

• Pluralization of Acronyms and Initialisms: Acronyms and initialisms form their plural by adding ‘-s’ without an apostrophe.

Example: Singular: FAQ (Frequently Asked Question)

Plural: FAQs

• Pluralization of Titles and Names Ending in ‘-s’: Titles and names ending in ‘-s’ form their plural by adding an apostrophe and ‘-s’.

Example: Singular: James

Plural: James’s books.

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-a’: Some nouns ending in ‘-a’ form their plural by adding ‘-e’.

Example: Singular: Formula

Plural: Formulae

• Pluralization of Foreign Borrowings: Foreign words borrowed into English may retain their original plural forms or follow English pluralization rules.

Example: Singular: Datum

Plural: Data

• Pluralization of Nouns with Variable Plurals: Some nouns have both regular and irregular plural forms, with usage often dependent on context or preference.

Example: Singular: Index

Plural 1: Indexes

Plural 2: Indices

• Pluralization of Nouns Referring to Time: Nouns referring to units of time typically remain unchanged in plural form.

Example: Singular & Plural: Second, Minute, Hour

• Pluralization of Units of Measurement: Units of measurement usually remain the same in both singular and plural forms.

Example: Singular & Plural: Meter, Liter, Gram

• Pluralization of Verbal Nouns: Verbal nouns ending in ‘-ing’ typically do not have a plural form.

Example: Singular & Plural: Fishing, Swimming, Running

• Pluralization of Clipped Words: Clipped words or contractions may form their plural by adding ‘-s’ to the end.

Example: Singular: Photo

Plural: Photos

• Pluralization of Brand Names and Trademarks: Brand names and trademarks may follow irregular pluralization or maintain their singular form.

Example: Singular: Nike

Plural: Nike (unchanged)

• Pluralization of Proper Nouns Ending in ‘-y’: Proper nouns ending in ‘-y’ may follow the same rules as common nouns for pluralization.

Example: Singular: Kennedy

Plural: Kennedys

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-o’ with Stress on the Last Syllable: Nouns ending in ‘-o’ with stress on the last syllable typically add ‘-s’ to form the plural.

Example: Singular: Solo

Plural: Solos

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-ix’: Nouns ending in ‘-ix’ form their plural by changing ‘-ix’ to ‘-ices’.

Example: Singular: Appendix

Plural: Appendices

• Pluralization of Words Ending in ‘-ful’: Nouns ending in ‘-ful’ form their plural by adding ‘-s’ to the end.

Example: Singular: Spoonful

Plural: Spoonfuls

• Pluralization of Fractions and Measurements: Fractions and measurements typically remain unchanged in plural form.

Example: Singular & Plural: Half, Dozen, Inch

• Pluralization of Letters and Numbers Used as Nouns: Letters and numbers used as nouns are made plural by adding ‘-s’ or ‘-es’.

Example: Singular: A

Plural: As

• Pluralization of Proper Nouns with Apostrophes: Proper nouns with apostrophes form their plural by adding ‘-s’ after the apostrophe.

Example: Singular: McDonald’s

Plural: McDonald’s

• Pluralization of Nouns Ending in ‘-y’ with ‘ey’ Before ‘y’: Nouns ending in ‘-y’ preceded by ‘ey’ form their plural by adding ‘-s’.

Example: Singular: Chimney

Plural: Chimneys

• Pluralization of Greek Letters: Greek letters used as symbols typically form their plural by adding ‘-s’ or ‘-es’.

Example: Singular: Alpha

Plural: Alphas or Alphai (depending on context)

• Pluralization of Titles and Honorary Titles: Titles and honorary titles are usually made plural by adding ‘-s’.

Example: Singular: Mr.

Plural: Mrs. (for female equivalent)

• Pluralization of Proper Nouns Ending in ‘-o’: Proper nouns ending in ‘-o’ may follow either English or foreign language pluralization rules.

Example: Singular: Picasso

Plural: Picassos or Picassoes (depending on preference)

• Pluralization of Verbs Used as Nouns: Verbs used as nouns typically remain unchanged in plural form.

Example: Singular & Plural: Running, Dancing, Singing

• Pluralization of Latin and Greek Loanwords: Latin and Greek loanwords may follow Latin or Greek pluralization rules, retaining their original forms.

Example: Singular: Criterion

Plural: Criteria (Latin plural form)

• Pluralization of Abbreviations: Abbreviations form their plural by adding ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ depending on the abbreviation’s structure.

Example: Singular: ATM (Automated Teller Machine)

Plural: ATMs or ATM’s (depending on style guide)

• Pluralization of Proper Nouns with Unusual Endings: Proper nouns with unusual endings may follow unique pluralization rules or retain their singular forms.

Example: Singular: Mongoose

Plural: Mongooses or Mongeese (both forms are accepted).

Rules for Forming Singular Numbers from Plural Numbers:

• Singularization of Regular Plurals:
  • Most plural nouns form their singular by removing the ‘-s’ at the end. Example: Cats → Cat, Books → Book
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-es’:
  • Plural nouns ending in ‘-es’ typically remove ‘-es’ to form the singular. Example: Boxes → Box, Brushes → Brush
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-ies’:
  • Plural nouns ending in ‘-ies’ change ‘-ies’ to ‘-y’ to form the singular. Example: Babies → Baby, Cities → City
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-s’ without Consonant Before ‘-s’:
  • Plural nouns ending in ‘-s’ without a consonant before the ‘-s’ typically remove the ‘-s’ to form the singular. Example: Days → Day, Keys → Key
• Singularization of Irregular Plurals:
  • Certain plural nouns have irregular singular forms that do not follow standard rules. Example: Men → Man, Women → Woman
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-ves’:
  • Plural nouns ending in ‘-ves’ typically change ‘-ves’ to ‘-f’ or ‘-fe’ to form the singular. Example: Knives → Knife, Leaves → Leaf
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-i’:
  • Plural nouns ending in ‘-i’ typically change ‘-i’ to ‘-us’ or ‘-um’ to form the singular. Example: Cacti → Cactus, Radii → Radius
• Singularization of Plurals with Unchanged Forms:
  • Some plural nouns have the same form in both singular and plural. Example: Sheep, Deer, Fish.

• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-ren’:
  • Plural nouns ending in ‘-ren’, typically found in archaic or dialectical usage, form their singular by removing ‘-ren’. Example: Brethren → Brother
• Singularization of Plurals with Altered Vowel Sound:
  • Some plural nouns have an altered vowel sound in the singular form compared to the plural. Example: Feet → Foot, Geese → Goose
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-en’:
  • Plural nouns ending in ‘-en’ often change to ‘-on’ or ‘-an’ in the singular form. Example: Oxen → Ox, Children → Child
• Singularization of Plurals Derived from Mass Nouns:
  • Plurals derived from mass nouns, denoting substances or concepts, are singularized based on context. Example: Sands (mass noun) → Grain of sand
• Singularization of Plurals with Compounding:
  • Plural nouns formed through compounding may have their components singularized separately. Example: Sons-in-law → Son-in-law
• Singularization of Collective Nouns:
  • Collective nouns, referring to groups of individuals, are singularized based on the context of the sentence. Example: People (collective noun) → Person (individual)
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-i’ or ‘-a’ of Latin Origin:
  • Plurals ending in ‘-i’ or ‘-a’ of Latin origin often change to ‘-us’ or ‘-um’ in the singular form. Example: Alumni → Alumnus, Criteria → Criterion
• Singularization of Plurals with Unmarked Singular Forms:
  • Some plural nouns have unmarked singular forms, which are identical to the plural form. Example: Deer, Sheep, Aircraft.

• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-i’ or ‘-a’ of Greek Origin:
  • Plurals ending in ‘-i’ or ‘-a’ of Greek origin often change to ‘-on’ or ‘-ma’ respectively in the singular form. Example: Phenomena → Phenomenon, Schemata → Schema
• Singularization of Plurals with Altered Consonant Sounds:
  • Some plural nouns undergo changes in consonant sounds when singularized. Example: Mice → Mouse, Lice → Louse
• Singularization of Plurals with Unmarked Plural Forms:
  • Some nouns have unmarked plural forms, which are identical to the singular form. Example: Aircraft (singular and plural), Series (singular and plural)
• Singularization of Plurals Derived from Foreign Words:
  • Plurals derived from foreign words may follow the rules of their original language or adopt English pluralization rules. Example: Vertebrae → Vertebra, Radii → Radius
• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-i’ or ‘-o’ with ‘a’ Before the Ending:
  • Plurals ending in ‘-i’ or ‘-o’ with ‘a’ before the ending typically drop the ‘-i’ or ‘-o’ in the singular form. Example: Bacteria → Bacterium, Curricula → Curriculum
• Singularization of Plurals with Altered Stress Patterns:
  • Some plural nouns have altered stress patterns when singularized. Example: Pianos (plural, stress on ‘pi’) → Piano (singular, stress on ‘a’)
• Singularization of Plurals with Borrowed Ending Sounds:
  • Plurals with borrowed ending sounds may change to a native English sound when singularized. Example: Memoirs (borrowed from French) → Memoir
• Singularization of Plurals with Uninflected Plural Forms:
  • Some plural nouns have uninflected forms that do not change when singularized. Example: Sheep (plural and singular), Deer (plural and singular).

• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-a’ with No Singular Form:

• Some plural nouns ending in ‘-a’ do not have a corresponding singular form. Example: Data (no singular form), Criteria (no singular form)

• Singularization of Plurals Ending in ‘-es’ with Altered Pronunciation:

• Some plural nouns ending in ‘-es’ have altered pronunciation in the singular form. Example: Corpses (plural, pronounced ‘kor-psiz’) → Corpse (singular, pronounced ‘korp’)

• Singularization of Plurals with Altered Syllable Stress:

• Some plural nouns have altered syllable stress when singularized. Example: Desks (plural, stress on ‘des’) → Desk (singular, stress on ‘desk’)

• Singularization of Plurals with Compound Forms:

• Plurals formed through compounding may have their components combined to form the singular. Example: Mothers-in-law (plural) → Mother-in-law (singular)

• Singularization of Plurals with Altered Word Roots:

• Some plural nouns have altered word roots when singularized. Example: Indices (plural) → Index (singular)

• Singularization of Plurals with Variant Pronunciations:

• Some plural nouns have variant pronunciations in the singular form. Example: Phenomena (plural, pronounced ‘fi-nom-uh-nuh’) → Phenomenon (singular, pronounced ‘fi-nom-uh-non’)

• Singularization of Plurals with Retained Plural Markers:

• Some plural nouns retain markers indicating plurality in the singular form. Example: Fishes (plural) → Fish (singular, retained plural marker)

• Singularization of Plurals with Historical Variants:

• Some plural nouns have historical variants that may differ in singularization. Example: Octopi (plural, historical variant) → Octopuses or Octopodes (singular).

You can follow us on social media