The plural of most nouns is formed by adding s to the singular. When, however, the sound of s makes an extra syllable, es is added: as, lunch, lunches.

Exceptions: i. Nouns ending in y following a consonant change y to i and add es: as, ally, allies; cry, cries.

2. Nouns ending in 0 following a consonant generally add es: as, potato, potatoes; but the s alone is added to piano, solo, halo, and some others.

Note. These rules apply to the formation of the third person singular of the present indicative active of the verb: as, read, reads; hush, hushes; carry, carries; veto, vetoes.

3. There is no rule for the formation of such irregular plurals as teeth, mice, oxen, men, women, children, deer.

4. Certain nouns ending in / or fe - beef, cat}, elf, half, knife, leaf, life, loaf, self, sheaf, shelf, wife, wolf - form the plural by changing f or fe into ves: as, calves, knives, loaves, etc.

Exercise

132. Make a list of the irregular plurals that you are likely to use. (See also sect. 69).