Forming plural nouns using the suffix -es and -ves | English

Starter quiz

What happens when the noun 'bay' becomes plural?
- Just add -s. ✓
- Just add -es.
- Remove the 'y', add -ies.
What happens when the noun 'puppy' becomes plural?
- Just add -s.
- Just add -es.
- Remove the 'y', add -ies. ✓
What happens when the noun 'house' becomes plural?
- Just add -s. ✓
- Just add -es.
- Remove the 'y', add -ies.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. There were several baybees in the park.
- 'babies' ✓
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. The munkees are screeching so loudly.
- 'monkeys' ✓
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. I went to three birthday partees at the weekend.
- 'parties' ✓

When creating plural nouns, you add the suffix -es to root words ending in which letters?
- x ✓
- f
- y
- ss or s ✓
- ch or sh ✓
Match the nouns to the rules they demonstrate when becoming plural.
- dress - dresses
  
  ⇔
  
  Just add -es. ✓
- festivity - festivities
  
  ⇔
  
  Remove the ‘y’, add -ies ✓
- loaf - loaves
  
  ⇔
  
  Remove ‘f’ or ‘fe’, add -ves ✓
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. She loves to have tomartos with her salad.
- 'tomatoes' ✓
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. There are active vulkanose in various different countries.
- 'volcanoes' ✓
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. There was a famous band of theevs in the land.
- 'thieves' ✓
Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Please could you pass the nifves down the table.
- 'knives' ✓

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If the root word ends in a ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘ss’ or ‘x’, then add the suffix -es.
If the root word ends in an ‘o’, it can use -s or -es.
If the root word ends in a ‘f’ or ‘fe’, then the ‘f’ or 'fe' is replaced by ‘v’ before adding the suffix -es.
How to spell curriculum words: programme and identity

Pupils often incorrectly use an apostrophe when they hear an 's' at the end of the word.

Remind pupils of the rules for using apostrophes. Only use an apostrophe if you can name and recognise the rule - for omission or possession.

Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word
Noun - a naming word for people, places and things
Singular - only one
Plural - more than one
Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes