Singular and Plural (English Lessons, Hour 1)

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Basic Verbs: Is, am, are
Is, am, are - Used with pronouns

Am -> with 'I' subject

Is -> with singular subjects ('He' (boy), 'She' (girl), 'It' (things))
Hindi: Ekvachan

Are -> plural subjects (They, we, you (even though 'you' is singular))

Exercise:
1. She __ beautiful.
2. They __ students.
3. The school bell __ ringing.
4. I __ not a rabbit.
5. Raju and Rajiv __ friends.

Rule 1: Plurals formed by suffixing 's':
 Gate + s
 Radio + s
 Orange + s
 Monkey + s

Rule 2: Words with hissing sounds at the end: (s, ss, sh, ch, x) 
Plural is formed by suffixing: 'es'
    Class >> classes
    Inch >> inches
    Glass >> glasses
    Torch >> torches
    Box >> boxes
    Fox >> foxes
    Dish >> dishes
    Bus >> busses
    Brush >> brushes

Rule 3: For Words Ending in 'O', We Suffix 'es':
 Tomato >> tomatoes
 Mango >> mangoes
 Hero >> heroes
 Potato >> Potatoes
 Buffalo >> buffaloes

Exceptions to the rule (For Words Ending in 'O', We Suffix 'es'):
3.1. Photo (photos)
3.2. Piano (pianos) 
3.3. Studio (studios) 
3.4. Radio (radios)

Trick to remember: Radio said photo showed a piano in studio.

Rule 4: By replacing final 'y' with 'ies':
(Also Check Rule 5)
 Supply >> supplies
 Hobby >> hobbies
 Fairy >> fairies
 Story >> stories
 City >> cities
 Diary >> diaries

Rule 5: Nouns ending with vowel and 'y' :
Vowels: A, E, I, O, U
(Also Check Rule 4)
 Boy >> boys
 Day >> days
 Key >> keys
 Toy >> toys
 Monkey >> monkeys
 Donkey >> donkeys 

Rule 6: By replacing -f/fe by -ves
 Calf >> calves
 Shelf >> shelves
 Knife >> knives
 Life >> lives
 Wolf >> wolves
 Thief >> thieves

Exceptions to the rule (By replacing -f/fe by -ves):
 Roof, dwarf, cliff, chef, handkerchief
Compounds:
 Commander-in-chief
 Son-in-law
 Daughter-in-law
 Mother-in-law
 Passer-by

Rule 7: Changing inside vowel:
 Man -> men
 Foot -> feet
 Mouse -> mice
 Chairman -> chairmen
 Tooth -> teeth
 Woman -> women

Rule 8: By adding en/ren
 Child --> children
 Ox --> oxen

Rule 9:
Both singular/plural are same for following words:
    Fish, sheep, deer, species, pair, dozen, advice, news

Rule 10:
Nouns always in pair
    Scissors, trousers, pants, pajamas, shorts

Tags: English Lessons