How to improve your spelling
Spelling plurals
when you've finished this page you will be able to...
- use plural spelling rules to improve your spelling
What is a 'plural'?
A plural is simple more than one of something. For example, the word shop describes just one shop, whereas the word shops describes more than one shop. 'Shops' is the plural of 'shop'.
Most words form plurals simply by adding an 's' on the end.
For example:
Pen = pens
Spoon = spoons
However, there are a couple of other types of plurals.
Words ending in 's', 'sh', 'ch' or 'x' are made into plurals by adding 'es' to the end.
For example:
kiss = kisses
dish = dishes
church = churches
axe = axes
Words ending in 'f' or 'fe' also have a different plural rule. These words should have a 'ves' added in place of the 'f' or 'fe'.
For example:
Elf = elves
Shelf = shelves
Life =lives
Activity: Practicing plurals - 10 minutes
1. Make the following words into plurals using the rules explained above.
2. Compare your answers to the ones shown below.
3. If you have misspelt any of your answers, have another look at that particular plural rule.
| anorak | glass | torch | penknife | gearbox | plug | thief | scarf | brush | pirate | scratch |
| minx | loss | mountain | beach | dish | shelf | prefix | midwife | inchworm | dwarf |
How did you do?
When you have finished this activity, you can check your answers here.
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