Changing nouns from singular to plural using alternative rules | English

Starter quiz

Identify the singular common nouns.
- grass ✓
- car ✓
- boats
- boxes
- foot ✓
Identify the plural common nouns.
- class
- boots ✓
- dresses ✓
- horse
- trays ✓
When using the suffix -es, what are the two key spelling rules?
- If the root word ends in a vowel digraph including a ‘y’, just add -s.
- Remove the 'y' and add -ies. ✓
- If the word ends in ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘ss’ or ‘x’ just add -es. ✓
- If the root word ends in 'e', just add -s.
Choose the correct spelling of the world in bold in this sentence: Pack your things into boxis.
- boxiz
- boxs
- boxes ✓
- box's
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: The dress's hung in the wardrobe.
- dressis
- dresess
- dressies
- dresses ✓
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: The packed lunchs are getting cold.
- 'lunches' ✓

When do we 'remove the 'f' and add -ves' when using the suffix -es?
- when the root word ends in a vowel digraph including a 'y'
- when the root word ends in a consonant and then a 'y'
- when the root word ends in the letter 'f' ✓
- when the root word ends in the letter 'o'
When do we just add -es to turn a noun into a plural?
- when the root word ends in a vowel digraph including a 'y'
- when the root word ends in a consonant and then a 'y'
- when the root word ends in the letter 'f'
- when the root word ends in the letter 'o' ✓
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: The wolfes howled at the moon.
- wolvs
- wolfs
- wolves ✓
- wolvies
Choose the correct spelling of the words in bold in this sentence: Would you like some potatos with your fish?
- potatows
- potatose
- potates
- potatoes ✓
Match the plurals to the rule they use when the suffix -es is added.
- shelf
  
  ⇔
  
  Remove the 'f' and add -ves. ✓
- volcano
  
  ⇔
  
  If the word ends in 'o', just add -es. ✓
- family
  
  ⇔
  
  Remove the 'y' and add -ies. ✓
- dish
  
  ⇔
  
  If the word ends in 'ch', 'sh', 'ss' or 'x' just add -es. ✓
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: The gard kept watch outside the palace.
- 'guard' ✓

For words containing an 'f' change the 'f' to a 'v' and add the suffix -es to turn them into a plural.
For words ending in an 'o', add the suffix -es to turn them into a plural.
How to spell the curriculum word: guard.

Pupils may forget to change the letter 'f' to 'v' and may just add the suffix -es.

Share lots of examples and give pupils the chance to say the plurals aloud so that they can hear the different sounds e.g. wolfs, wolves.

Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning
Plural - more than one
Singular - only one
Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
Noun - a naming word for a person, place or thing