A noun can name one thing or more than one. One cat, two cats. To mean more than one, most nouns add -s.
Nouns that end in s, x, sh, ch or z add -es: box, boxes; dish, dishes; bus, buses. Say them aloud: the -es adds an extra beat.
Key idea
Add -s to most nouns. Add -es after s, x, sh, ch and z. A few nouns change in their own way.
Why it works
Try saying “boxs.” Your mouth wants to add a beat: box-es. The spelling -es matches that extra beat, so readers say the word the way we do.
Worked example: One fox, two…
What is more than one fox?
- Fox ends in x.
- Nouns that end in x add -es.
- Say it: fox-es, two beats.
Answer: foxes
Worked example: A noun that changes
What is more than one mouse?
- Mouses doesn’t sound right.
- Mouse changes in its own way.
- One mouse, two mice.
Answer: mice
Common mistake
Writing boxs and dishs, or mouses and foots. Say the word aloud: does it need an extra beat? Is it one of the nouns that change in their own way, like mice, feet, teeth and children?
For the grown-up. Some nouns stay the same for one and many: one sheep, two sheep; one deer, three deer. Rules for words that end in y (pony, ponies) come later, in the Grammar course.