Number

In grammar, the term "number" refers to the count of a noun or pronoun. It indicates whether we are talking about one thing (singular) or more than one thing (plural).

Types of Number:

There are two main types:

Singular Number:

It refers to the count of only one of a noun or pronoun.
Examples: pen, table, aunt, father, goose, etc.

Plural Number:

It refers to the count of more than one of a noun or pronoun.
Examples: pens, tables, aunts, fathers, geese, etc.

Changing Number:

To change the number from singular to plural, we follow certain rules:

Rule 1: Add "s" at the end of a singular noun to make it plural.

Singular	Plural
Pencil	Pencils
Cow	Cows
House	Houses
Dog	Dogs
Cat	Cats
Car	Cars
Table	Tables
Chair	Chairs
Bird	Birds
Flower	Flowers
Computer	Computers
Phone	Phones
Book	Books
Tree	Trees
Lake	Lakes
Friend	Friends
Pen	Pens
Movie	Movies
Song	Songs
Child	Children
City	Cities
Country	Countries
School	Schools
Teacher	Teachers
Elephant	Elephants
Fish	Fishes
Horse	Horses
Star	Stars
Songwriter	Songwriters
Writer	Writers
Artist	Artists
Scientist	Scientists
Worker	Workers
Actor	Actors
Doctor	Doctors
Library	Libraries
Computer	Computers
Language	Languages
Dream	Dreams
River	Rivers
Ocean	Oceans
Flowerpot	Flowerpots
Baby	Babies
Room	Rooms
Building	Buildings
Island	Islands
Zoo	Zoos
Fisherman	Fishermen
Player	Players
Oceanographer	Oceanographers
Visitor	Visitors
Captain	Captains
Passenger	Passengers

Rule 2: If the singular noun ends with s, sh, ch, x, or z, add "es."

Singular	Plural
Bus	Buses
Dish	Dishes
Fox	Foxes
Box	Boxes
Buzz	Buzzes
Church	Churches
Wish	Wishes
Tax	Taxes
Quiz	Quizzes
Match	Matches
Class	Classes
Branch	Branches
Index	Indexes
Matrix	Matrices
Wizard	Wizards
Buzz	Buzzes
Coach	Coaches
Fix	Fixes
Buzz	Buzzes
Dish	Dishes
Fox	Foxes
Gas	Gases
Wiz	Wizzes
Box	Boxes
Dish	Dishes
Quash	Quashes
Flash	Flashes
Match	Matches
Tax	Taxes
Church	Churches
Beach	Beaches
Branch	Branches
Fox	Foxes
Hunch	Hunches
Bench	Benches
Fix	Fixes
Mix	Mixes
Bliz	Blizzes
Quiz	Quizzes
Wish	Wishes
Dish	Dishes
Fox	Foxes
Tax	Taxes
Class	Classes
Match	Matches
Wish	Wishes
Buzz	Buzzes
Fox	Foxes
Dish	Dishes
Box	Boxes
Buzz	Buzzes
Church	Churches

Rule 3: When the pronunciation of "ch" is like "k," add only "s" at the end.

Singular	Plural
Monarch	Monarchs
Stomach	Stomachs
Echo	Echos
Orchid	Orchids
Brooch	Brooches
Stomachache	Stomachaches
Sketch	Sketches
Epoch	Epochs
Approach	Approaches
Branch	Branches
Switch	Switches
Arch	Arches
Batch	Batches
Stench	Stenches
Hunch	Hunches
Punch	Punches
Quench	Quenches
Lunch	Lunches
Search	Searches
Sketch	Sketches
Stitch	Stitches
Bench	Benches
Witch	Witches
Peach	Peaches
Approach	Approaches
Torch	Torches
Inch	Inches
Switch	Switches
Scratch	Scratches
Stretch	Stretches
Sketch	Sketches
Speech	Speeches
Starch	Starches
Patch	Patches
Coach	Coaches
Bunch	Bunches
Branch	Branches
Munch	Munches
Match	Matches
Search	Searches
Bench	Benches
Hunch	Hunches
Clutch	Clutches
Pitch	Pitches
Switch	Switches
Watch	Watches
Whiz	Whizzes
Scratch	Scratches
Branch	Branches
Touch	Touches
Stitch	Stitches
Hunch	Hunches
Torch	Torches

Rule 4: For words ending in "y" with a consonant before it, replace "y" with "i" and add "es."

Singular	Plural
Story	Stories
Baby	Babies
City	Cities
Party	Parties
Lady	Ladies
Party	Parties
Country	Countries
Journey	Journeys
Duty	Duties
Puppy	Puppies
Ally	Allies
Penny	Pennies
Library	Libraries
Fairy	Fairies
Cherry	Cherries
Diary	Diaries
Candy	Candies
Puppy	Puppies
Symphony	Symphonies
Harmony	Harmonies
Spy	Spies
Navy	Navies
Gravity	Gravities
Berry	Berries
Trophy	Trophies
Duty	Duties
Pony	Ponies
Proxy	Proxies
Curry	Curries
Jury	Juries
Bully	Bullies
Hobby	Hobbies
Query	Queries
Supply	Supplies
Unity	Unities
Comedy	Comedies
Symphony	Symphonies
Ray	Rays
Bakery	Bakeries
Duty	Duties
Spy	Spies
Jury	Juries
Buggy	Buggies
Cherry	Cherries
Trophy	Trophies
Penny	Pennies
Diary	Diaries
Army	Armies
Butterfly	Butterflies
Harmony	Harmonies
Mystery	Mysteries
Candy	Candies
Policy	Policies
Cherry	Cherries
Symphony	Symphonies
Diary	Diaries
Bully	Bullies
Unity	Unities

Rule 5: Replace "f" or "fe" with "v" and add "es."

Singular	Plural
Thief	Thieves
Leaf	Leaves
Knife	Knives
Wife	Wives
Life	Lives
Half	Halves
Elf	Elves
Shelf	Shelves
Wolf	Wolves
Calf	Calves
Loaf	Loaves
Self	Selves
Leaflet	Leaflets
Dwarf	Dwarves
Hoof	Hooves
Roof	Rooves
Belief	Beliefs
Cliff	Cliffs
Chief	Chiefs
Muff	Muffs
Cuff	Cuffs
Duffel	Duffels
Turf	Turfs
Off	Offs
Proof	Proofs
Reef	Reefs
Sniff	Sniffs
Sheriff	Sheriffs
Muffin	Muffins
Beef	Beeves
Elf	Elves
Offspring	Offspring
Cliff	Cliffs
Chef	Chefs
Gulf	Gulfs
Griffon	Griffons
Leaf	Leaves
Lief	Lieves
Roof	Roofs
Stiff	Stiffs
Cliff	Cliffs
Tiff	Tiffs
Whiff	Whiffs
Fife	Fifes
Giraffe	Giraffes
Tartuffe	Tartuffes
Fluff	Fluffs
Buffet	Buffets
Fief	Fiefs
Chafe	Chafes
Doff	Doffs
Oaf	Oafs
Loaf	Loaves
Cliff	Cliffs

Rule 6: Add "es," "ren," or "ne" at the end for specific words.

Singular	Plural
Ox	Oxen
Child	Children
Man	Men
Woman	Women
Tooth	Teeth
Goose	Geese
Louse	Lice
Mouse	Mice
Die	Dice
Index	Indexes
Appendix	Appendices
Matrix	Matrices
Criterion	Criteria
Phenomenon	Phenomena
Bacterium	Bacteria
Curriculum	Curricula
Medium	Media
Datum	Data
Cactus	Cacti
Focus	Foci
Locus	Loci
Syllabus	Syllabi
Radius	Radii
Thesis	Theses
Crisis	Crises
Oasis	Oases
Octopus	Octopi
Coccus	Cocci
Nucleus	Nuclei
Fungus	Fungi
Alumnus	Alumni
Radius	Radii
Syllabus	Syllabi
Stylus	Styluses
Hippopotamus	Hippopotami
Hippocampus	Hippocampi
Alumnus	Alumni
Antenna	Antennae
Formula	Formulae
Larva	Larvae
Larva	Larvae
Vertebra	Vertebrae
Alga	Algae
Alumna	Alumnae
Seraph	Seraphim
Criterion	Criteria
Datum	Data
Stadium	Stadia
Stadium	Stadiums
Antithesis	Antitheses
Axis	Axes
Matrix	Matrices
Locus	Loci
Focus	Foci
Crisis	Crises

Rule 7: Add "s" when a word ends in "ful."

Singular	Plural
Handful	Handfuls
Spoonful	Spoonfuls
Cupful	Cupfuls
Bagful	Bagfuls
Mouthful	Mouthfuls
Plateful	Platefuls
Houseful	Housefuls
Roomful	Roomfuls
Armful	Armfuls
Boxful	Boxfuls
Barrelful	Barrelfuls
Tumblerful	Tumblerfuls
Bowlful	Bowlfuls
Basketful	Basketfuls
Pocketful	Pocketfuls
Saucerful	Saucerfuls
Teaspoonful	Teaspoonfuls
Handful	Handfuls
Bellyful	Bellyfuls
Earful	Earfuls
Spoonful	Spoonfuls
Armful	Armfuls
Hatful	Hatfuls
Basketful	Basketfuls
Houseful	Housefuls
Handful	Handfuls
Lapful	Lapfuls
Bucketful	Bucketfuls
Roomful	Roomfuls
Saucerful	Saucerfuls
Bowlful	Bowlfuls
Pocketful	Pocketfuls
Spoonful	Spoonfuls
Tankful	Tankfuls
Mouthful	Mouthfuls
Barrelful	Barrelfuls
Houseful	Housefuls
Basketful	Basketfuls
Tumblerful	Tumblerfuls
Roomful	Roomfuls
Pocketful	Pocketfuls
Saucerful	Saucerfuls
Bowlful	Bowlfuls
Teaspoonful	Teaspoonfuls
Handful	Handfuls
Bellyful	Bellyfuls
Earful	Earfuls
Spoonful	Spoonfuls
Armful	Armfuls
Hatful	Hatfuls
Basketful	Basketfuls
Houseful	Housefuls
Handful	Handfuls
Lapful	Lapfuls
Bucketful	Bucketfuls
Roomful	Roomfuls

Rule 8: Some words only require adding "s" at the end.

Singular	Plural
Book-shelf	Book-shelves
Desk	Desks
Chair	Chairs
Table	Tables
Mirror	Mirrors
Window	Windows
Hat	Hats
Glove	Gloves
Shoe	Shoes
Car	Cars
Computer	Computers
Phone	Phones
Book	Books
Tree	Trees
Lake	Lakes
Friend	Friends
Pen	Pens
Movie	Movies
Song	Songs
Child	Children
City	Cities
Country	Countries
School	Schools
Teacher	Teachers
Elephant	Elephants
Fish	Fishes
Horse	Horses
Star	Stars
Songwriter	Songwriters
Writer	Writers
Artist	Artists
Scientist	Scientists
Worker	Workers
Actor	Actors
Doctor	Doctors
Library	Libraries
Computer	Computers
Language	Languages
Dream	Dreams
River	Rivers
Ocean	Oceans
Flowerpot	Flowerpots
Baby	Babies
Room	Rooms
Building	Buildings
Island	Islands
Zoo	Zoos
Fisherman	Fishermen
Player	Players
Oceanographer	Oceanographers
Visitor	Visitors
Captain	Captains
Passenger	Passengers

Rule 9: Some nouns have no plural form and are always used in singular.

Singular	Note
Furniture	No plural form
Scenery	No plural form
Issue	No plural form

Others are always used in plural form.

Singular	Plural
Mumps	Mumps
Scissors	Scissors
Trousers	Trousers
Goggles	Goggles
Pants	Pants
Glasses	Glasses
Shorts	Shorts
Tongs	Tongs
Pliers	Pliers
Binoculars	Binoculars
Jeans	Jeans
Bellows	Bellows
Jitters	Jitters
Riches	Riches
Guts	Guts
Dynamics	Dynamics
Earnings	Earnings
News	News
Summons	Summons
Embers	Embers
Eyeglasses	Eyeglasses
Proceeds	Proceeds
Headquarters	Headquarters
Matematics	Mathematics
Physics	Physics
Politics	Politics
Statistics	Statistics
Acoustics	Acoustics
Economics	Economics
Ethics	Ethics
Linguistics	Linguistics
Logistics	Logistics
Dynamics	Dynamics
Ballistics	Ballistics
Diagnostics	Diagnostics
Tactics	Tactics
Annals	Annals
Chronicles	Chronicles
Spherics	Spherics
Semantics	Semantics
Phonetics	Phonetics
Pyrotechnics	Pyrotechnics
Theatrics	Theatrics
Genethics	Genethics
Heroics	Heroics
Politics	Politics
Mathematics	Mathematics
Physics	Physics

Rule 10: Some nouns, like government or peasantry, seem singular but are plural in meaning.

Singular	Plural
Government	Governments
Peasantry	Peasantries
Aristocracy	Aristocracies
Gentry	Gentries
Oligarchy	Oligarchies
Plutocracy	Plutocracies
Democracy	Democracies
Bureaucracy	Bureaucracies
Anarchy	Anarchies
Monarchy	Monarchies
Theocracy	Theocracies
Autocracy	Autocracies
Meritocracy	Meritocracies
Timocracy	Timocracies
Kleptocracy	Kleptocracies
Technocracy	Technocracies
Patriarchy	Patriarchies
Matriarchy	Matriarchies
Plutarchy	Plutarchies
Gerontocracy	Gerontocracies
Kakistocracy	Kakistocracies
Isocracy	Isocracies
Hydrarchy	Hydrarchies
Heterarchy	Heterarchies
Energetocracy	Energetocracies
Ergatocracy	Ergatocracies
Plutarchy	Plutarchies
Duumvirate	Duumvirates

Rule 11: Conversely, words like physics or politics seem plural but are singular in meaning.

Singular	Note
Physics	Singular
Politics	Singular
Mathematics	Singular
Economics	Singular
Ethics	Singular
Logistics	Singular
Dynamics	Singular
Statistics	Singular
Acoustics	Singular
Ballistics	Singular
Diagnostics	Singular
Tactics	Singular
Annals	Singular
Chronicles	Singular
Spherics	Singular
Semantics	Singular
Phonetics	Singular
Pyrotechnics	Singular
Theatrics	Singular
Genethics	Singular
Heroics	Singular

Rule 12: Some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural.

Singular/Plural	Note
Deer	Same form
Sheep	Same form
Species	Same form
Fish	Same form
Aircraft	Same form
Trout	Same form
Cod	Same form
Salmon	Same form
Spacecraft	Same form
Bison	Same form
Headquarters	Same form
Offspring	Same form
Series	Same form
Species	Same form
Trout	Same form
Cod	Same form
Sheep	Same form
Aircraft	Same form
Salmon	Same form
Bison	Same form
Headquarters	Same form
Offspring	Same form
Series	Same form
Species	Same form
Sheep	Same form
Aircraft	Same form
Bison	Same form
Cod	Same form
Deer	Same form
Headquarters	Same form
Offspring	Same form
Salmon	Same form
Series	Same form
Sheep	Same form
Spacecraft	Same form
Species	Same form
Trout	Same form
Cod	Same form
Headquarters	Same form
Offspring	Same form
Series	Same form
Aircraft	Same form
Bison	Same form

Rule 13: For pronouns, memorization is key.

Singular	Plural
I	We
He/She/It	They
My/Mine/Me	Our/Ours/Us
You	You
He/She/It	They
His/Her/Its	Theirs
Him/Her/It	Them
My/Mine/Me	Our/Ours/Us
Yours	Yours
We	We
Us	Us
They	They
Them	Them
Our/Ours/Us	Our/Ours/Us
Theirs	Theirs
Our/Ours/Us	Our/Ours/Us
Yours	Yours

Rule 14: For letters, numbers, and symbols, use an apostrophe and "s" to indicate plurality.

Singular	Plural
A	A's
B	B's
1	1's
2	2's
+	+'s
=	='s
%	%'s
x	x's
y	y's
z	z's
CD	CD's
DVD	DVD's
CEO	CEO's
FAQ	FAQ's
ATM	ATM's
URL	URL's
MP3	MP3's
GPA	GPA's
IQ	IQ's
LCD	LCD's
UFO	UFO's
RSVP	RSVP's
VIP	VIP's
SOS	SOS's
CEO	CEO's
GPS	GPS's
TLC	TLC's
HIV	HIV's
CPU	CPU's
SUV	SUV's
DVD	DVD's
PC	PC's
PIN	PIN's
PIN	PIN's
VHS	VHS's
SMS	SMS's
USB	USB's
FAQ	FAQ's
LCD	LCD's
UFO	UFO's
RSVP	RSVP's
VIP	VIP's
SOS	SOS's
GPS	GPS's
CEO	CEO's
IQ	IQ's