subject may be one or there may be many.In most languages, this means that the noun changes its shape at least slightly, and English - is no exception.
plural and singular
As a rule, there is a difference in how to name one or more items.Moreover, there is a need to do it so often that it is not even always understood.Nevertheless, the study of foreign tongues one of the first and the main topics is the formation of plurals.In English, this is usually not too difficult to do, but there are different nuances, subtleties and exceptions to keep in mind.Without it easy to hit the mark.
forms of numbers in English called Singular and Plural.Some nouns do not have one of these forms at all, while others just form them in a special way.So you need to find out about any noun in question, what are their characteristics.
Nouns: general rule
In order to form the shape of Plural, a primary form of the word ending added -s .This is the most general and simple rule, for example:
- a truck - trucks (trucks);
- a cup - cups (cups);
- a flag - flags (flags).
It should be borne in mind that after the end of the deaf sounds read as [s], while in other cases - [z] or [iz].
However this is not always.If the noun ends in s, ch, x, sh, tch, z, the end will have -es , because so much easier to say:
- a box - boxes (box);
- a boss - bosses (chiefs).
words ending in o, plural also added -es :
- a tomato - tomatoes (tomatoes).
Those words contained in the singular at the end of f or fe , plural change it to v :
- a wolf - wolves (wolves);
- a leaf - leaves (the leaves).
should be noted that this is not always, but in most cases.If there is doubt, it is better to turn to a dictionary or reference book.
In addition, there is a special rule for nouns ending in y .If the penultimate letter is not a vowel and the word proper name, then y changes to i :
- a pony - ponies (ponies);
- a lady - ladies (ladies).But
:
- a monkey - monkeys (monkeys);
- Mary - Marys (Mary, Mary).
These are simple examples of how to pluralize nouns in the English language.Next we will focus on more complex examples, which have to take into account the various subtleties.
Compound nouns
Another kind words invariably causes difficulties.It is a compound noun, such as daughter-in-law, good-for-nothing, and so on.. Many simply add the ending -s to the entire structure, but this is not true.In this case, you must select the main word and work with him.That is the correct option will daughters-in-law (sister), but, for example, good-for-nothings (loafers), because there is no nominal part.As can be seen form the Plural form is not too difficult even for compound words.The main thing - be aware of this rule and be able to apply it.
Borrowed Words
stumbling block in the subject line of the plural form - this idea came
from Latin, Greek, and so on. D. Remember them can be difficult, but almost all of them are of special scientific vocabulary, so to meetwith them in plain text, likely to fail.Examples can be so:
- a criterion - criteria (criteria);
- an index - indeces (indexes).
As can be seen, in this case the formation of plural nouns in the English language is the same with the way it looked in the form of the original source.If in doubt, better to look in the dictionary, the more that the same word in different subjects will behave differently.For example, the noun antenna electronics forms the shape of antennae, and in Biology - antennas.
Exceptions Unfortunately, not always plural nouns in the English language falls under one of the above rules.There are also exceptions.The best known and most commonly used in the common vocabulary are as follows:
- a tooth - teeth (teeth);
- a foot - feet (foot);
- a child - children (child - children);
- a (wo) man - (wo) men (female / male);
- a mouse - mice (the mouse);
- a penny - pence (pennies);
- a sheep - sheep (sheep);
- a goose - geese (geese);
- a swine - swine (pigs);
- a deer - deer (deer);
- an ox - oxen (bulls).
There are a number of words that also have a special shape,
but they are used much less frequently.Since the list is rather small, easier to just memorize it.And then I do not have to think about what form the plural form in English in a particular case.
In addition to the same category include the name of the national ending in -se or -ss. Examples can be so:
- a Japanese - Japanese (Japanese);
- a Swiss - Swiss (Swiss);
- a Portuguese - Portuguese (Portuguese);
- a Chinese - Chinese (Chinese).
Features of collective nouns
Another special category has no nuances in the formation of the forms Plural.But grammatically it may in different situations within the meaning of act in Singular, and the Plural.By the way, it's even bigger impact has the nationality of the interlocutor.
The fact is that in the UK and the US perception of collective nouns seriously different: English, rather individualistic, whereas Americans are more prone to collectivism.The grammar is reflected in the coordination of the predicate with the subject.
The category includes collecting words such as crew, committee, family, team, class, company, corporation, etc... In the event that meant that the noun expresses a single policy or action team then used Singular.If we talk about a lot of people, members of the family, the team, and so on. E., The plural is used.In the English language, as has been said, a lot of nuances and subtleties that are not always easy to remember to not make mistakes.
If you do not want to admit mistakes, easier to replace the collective noun to close within the meaning of design.Instead of class suit students, and can be converted to the team players.In other cases, suitable only members or participants.Verb agreement with these words should not cause problems.
only a single
often become a stumbling block uncountable nouns and even abstract concepts.If real is more or less clear, then with the other - not very.
To this species include hair (not in the sense of "individual hairs"), money, information, water, progress, relationship, advice, knowledge, and so on. D. We should also be said about those that end in -s : news, mathematics, physics, politics, statistics, and so on. f. plural in the English language in this case is not formed at all, and coordination occurs in the singular:
- You information is quite interesting.
- Physics is an important science.
Words such as fruit and fish, which have already been mentioned previously, in different cases, or will form the plural or not, depending on the semantics.In the sense of "different types" they will be added at the end of -s , and if it is just about the number of more than one, then no.
As examples that fall under this rule, quite a lot, if you suspect that a particular word in an unusual way the plural in English or does not do so, it is best to double-check myself.In the end, even the most experienced translators and media sometimes make mistakes.What can we say about those who are just starting to learn the language, but practice will help.
only plural
This category also includes quite a number of examples, including among collective nouns: military, police, people, clothes, goods and so on.. In addition, this includes items that can be calledpair: scissors (scissors), braces (suspenders), trousers (pants) and some others.Obviously, talking about how the plural is formed in the English language in these examples does not make sense, because they already are in it.It is important to remember these examples and properly align them with verbs.
Language - a living substance that is constantly changing.Some rules disappear, but they were replaced by others appear.It is possible that plural nouns in the English language in a few decades will be a completely different principles.
