Noun Plurals

Count Nouns
Nouns that can be counted as individual items are referred to as count nouns.
Count nouns can take a singular or plural form and often name things perceived by
the senses. If there can be more than one of something, it’s likely a count noun.

Examples of count nouns in Examples of count nouns in

the singular form: the plural form:
nut nuts
hen hens
door doors
boy boys
computer computers
idea ideas

You may find some exceptions to the definitions. Also,

what may be countable in other languages might not
be countable in English.

+ + = 3 Girls
Add s to pluralize most count nouns.

house - houses
mountain - mountains
bag - bags

Add es to pluralize count nouns ending in ss, ch, s, sh, or x.

glass - glasses
beach - beaches
fax - faxes

Add s or es to nouns ending in o.

echo - echoes
video - videos
hippo - hippos
tomato - tomatoes

Add ies to nouns ending in a consonant and y.

baby - babies
city - cities

Numbers can be used with count nouns.

three hens
two boys
one idea

When a singular count noun is the subject in a sentence, it must be used with
the singular verb form.

The cover of that book tells us nothing

The plural count noun is used with the plural verb form.

The whales were swimming very close to shore.

Incorrect: The woman who were working on the magazine received

awards for design, layout, and content development.

Explanation: The count noun is the subject of the plural verb were, so the
two must agree.

Correct: The women who were working on the magazine received

awards for design, layout, and content development.

Non-count Nouns
When something cannot be counted directly, we call these non-count nouns. These
nouns do not have a plural form.

Non-count nouns are often substances, such as water or rice, which cannot
easily be counted, or they may be abstract ideas, such as intelligence or honesty.

rain confidence
money laughter
grass oxygen

Non-count nouns do not pluralize.

Incorrect: Our teacher gives us a lot of homeworks.

Explanation: Homework is a non-count noun, so it cannot take a plural form.

Correct: Our teacher gives us a lot of homework.

Count and Non-count Nouns and
the Use of Prepositions
Prepositions link nouns to other words in a sentence. The preposition indicates the
relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence.

Consider the nature of the relationship between the noun and the rest of the
sentence indicated by the preposition.

Incorrect: We can put partitions up between the table.

Explanation: Between suggests more than one item. We should choose the
plural count noun.

Correct: We can put partitions up between the tables.

Irregular Noun Plurals

There are some common exceptions to the plural rules for nouns. Some of them
include:

tooth teeth man men

mouse mice woman women
child children

Some other count nouns do not have a plural form. Some of these include:
fish fish moose moose
aircraft aircraft means means

Incorrect: Deers come in our yard and eat all our flowers.

Correct: Deer come in our yard and eat all our flowers.
 Quiz Yourself:
Noun Plurals
Identify whether each sentence contains a correct or an incorrect noun plural by
circling on the correct response.

1. How many person are in your class?

a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

2. We have a lot of fish in the freezer.

a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

3. Baby like to be rocked, sung to, and cuddled.

a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

4. How many cups of tea do we need for Table Six?

a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

5. How much garbages do we have for Friday’s pick up?

a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

6. The informations I read on the Internet was extremely valuable.

a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

continued on next page

 Quiz Yourself:
Noun Plurals
Continued

7. There are bound to be better ways to study than to sleep with books under your
pillow.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

8. I need to buy sugars before I can bake those cookies you like.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

9. Three men and a woman were spotted at the scene of the crime.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.

10. Most of the player in my chess club can’t meet until 7:00 pm, so I don’t think we
should make the times of our meetings earlier.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. This sentence contains an incorrect noun plural.
 Challenge Yourself:
Noun Plurals
Correct the incorrect noun plurals in the following sentences. Watch, there may be
more than one error per sentence.

1. The McKechney sisters get together every Tuesday to watch their childs practise
gymnastics.

2. The two womans lean against the wall wrapping their hands around their
coffee during the lesson.

3. Susie McKechney would rather play baseballs, but gymnastics is Ava

McKechney’s favourite sport.

4. Ava dreams of doing back flips from rooftop to rooftop, along all the rooves on
her street.

5. Susie’s mom complains that the lessons are a lot of monies given there isn’t
much 1:1 instruction.

6. Ava’s mom shrugs it off, saying the chance for their daughter’s friendship to
blossom is worth it.

7. She wants another generation of McKechnies to have the same bond she has
with her sister.

8. “Stop stressing,” says Ava’s mom, passing a bag to Susie’s mom. “The tomatos
are from my garden.”
Noun Forms

Forming Abstract Nouns

Many abstract nouns are formed by adding suffixes (-ness, -ity, -tion) to adjectives or
verbs to make a noun form. Examples are happiness, formality, and gradation.

Some nouns take one suffix and not another.

extensiveness not extensivity

centrality not centralness

The difficulty comes in choosing the best noun form for your specific sentence. For
example, the following two words are both abstract nouns with similar meanings. You
will find both words in your dictionary.

fragility - a noun referring to the condition of being fragile

fragileness - a noun referring to how fragile something is

One of them will be the better noun form in the following sentence:

The author argued that culture’s fragility was the main problem.

Fragility is more easily used than fragileness, which sounds awkward.

Consider the words productiveness and productivity:

Incorrect: The new office arrangement increased the productiveness of the staff.

Correct: The new office arrangement increased the productivity of the staff.
Sometimes the noun form created with a suffix is not the best form.

In the following example, the noun phrase is better than the noun form created with
the ity suffix:

The central placement of the new building will make it easy to reach
from any place on campus.

Explanation: In this sentence, central placement is better than centrality

because we’re not talking about an abstract quality belonging to the new
building; we’re talking about its specific site.

In the following sentence, centrality is the better form because we’re talking about
the abstract quality:

We want to keep the old mascot, given its centrality to the history of
the school.

Nouns ending in ness are always abstract nouns and

cannot be pluralized. Some nouns ending in ity are
concrete and can be pluralized.
monstrosity — monstrosities
variety — varieties
Noun Usage

Some nouns can mean the same thing, but not in every instance.

Narration and narrative can both mean a continuous story.

Which is the proper noun used in this sentence?

The___________ that went along with that movie was very loud
and expressive.

We would use narration here because the context tells us this is specifically a spoken
accompaniment to a film, which is always called the narration.

Some nouns look very close, but they mean different things.

The noun employee is a person who works for wages or salary.

The noun employ means the state of being employed.

Incorrect: I have been in the employee of the college for four months.

Correct: I have been in the employ of the college for four months.

Some nouns are made from shorter nouns with different meanings.

The noun horse refers to the four-legged animal.

The noun sawhorse refers to the four-legged workbench.

Incorrect: I used my horse to support the 2 x 4 while I cut off the ends.

Correct: I used my sawhorse to support the 2 x 4 while I cut off the ends.
Examples of noun usage:

Incorrect: My hate of him has

me turning red.

Correct: My hatred of him

has me turning red.

Incorrect: We have many more mileage to drive before we reach our

vacation spot.

Correct: We have many more miles to drive before we reach our

vacation spot.
 Quiz Yourself:
Noun Forms
Circle the incorrect noun form in each sentence.

1. You’ll find the best dines in the west end of the city.

2. How do you plan to earn a life after you’re finished with school?

3. The citizens are concerned that the new security legislation will restrict their
freeness.

4. It was a superstitiousness that led him to avoid walking under that ladder.

5. The soldier raised her arm, hand flat and straight, in a military salutation to her
senior officer.

6. The locality of the closing ceremony has yet to be decided by the faculty.

7. Being among the literati makes daily life easier: I can read signs, complete forms,
and follow the simple instructions of a recipe.

8. I’m not going to give credential to the claim that eating turnips will improve my
quality of life.

9. At spring break, students like to make a pilgrim to warmer climates.

10. I keep a diary so my thoughts and feelings are recorded for perpetualism.
 Challenge Yourself:
Noun Forms
Change the incorrect noun forms, and replace the nouns used incorrectly with an
appropriate noun. In some instances, more than one answer is acceptable.

1. Our media class was instructed to film a documentation while we were on our
outdoor education trip.

2. Our outdoor education leader showed us how to make a sweat lodging using
driftwood for the frame.

3. The film shows the shapelessivity of the structure before we rebuilt the frame
properly.

4. Now we have the knowing to make a better one next time.

5. The steam filled the structure, and we soon built up a good sweatness.

6. I’ve never felt a more intense exhilaratingness!

7. We almost forgot to film that part; we were having such a blasting.

8. I hope we win the treasure!

Article Use

Articles are short words that come before a noun. There are two
kinds of articles used in front of noun groups: indefinite and definite articles.

A or an is an indefinite article.
Use a or an to refer to a non-specific, singular noun.

a book an angel a person an elephant

The is a definite article.

Use the to refer to a specific singular or plural noun.

the cake in the refrigerator

the movies we saw last night
the past

The Indefinite Article A or An

A or an is used in front of a noun that can be counted.
a pleasant afternoon.
We can count a number of afternoons.

Use an indefinite article when you talk about people or things without saying
exactly who or what they are.

I went to see a doctor.

Use an indefinite article the first time you refer to something that is not
specifically known to the person you are communicating with.

While we were on vacation, we went to a show. The show we saw was

called Les Miserables.
 If the next word begins with a consonant sound when
spoken, for example “uniform,” use a. We say “uniform”
with a “y” sound at the beginning, as though it were spelt
“youniform”; so, “a uniform” is correct.

If the next word begins with a vowel sound when spoken, for example “honourable,”
use an. We say “honourable” with a silent h, as though it were spelled “onorable”; so,
“an honourable student” is correct.

The Definite Article The

The is used in front of a count noun, and when the noun cannot be counted,
but is specific:
the dollar he lent me. (We can count the number of dollars.)
the sadness I feel. (We cannot count a number of sadness.)

Use a definite article when the person you are talking to knows which person or
thing you mean.

We saw him in the cafeteria.

Use a definite article when you have already mentioned the person or thing.

I was looking after a dog this weekend. The dog was very disobedient.

Some non-count nouns do not require an article.

I need to buy coffee.

Do not use an article when talking about languages, places,

sports, or countries, except when the country name includes
an article, such as The Netherlands, or The U.S.A.
 Do not use an article when you talk about things in general.
Textbooks are expensive. (all textbooks)
Sugar is sweet. (all sugar)

Using Articles in Front of a Modifier

Put the correct article in front of a noun group or in front of numbers or

adjectives.

Specific Non-specific

Would you like the delightful Would you like a delightful

cherry tart on this plate? cherry tart?

The three witches of Eastwick

A witch from Eastwick flew by.
flew by.

Examples of Article Usage:

Incorrect: There was great lecture this evening.

Correct: There was a great lecture this evening.

Incorrect: The students nodded at the teacher to show the

comprehension.

Correct: The students nodded at the teacher to show their

comprehension.
Be careful of words that have both a count and a non-count meaning.

Non-count nouns normally cannot have the indefinite article a or an in front of them.
We make an exception when using words that have both a count and non-count
meaning.

Non-count meaning: I need to buy coffee.

Count meaning: Can I buy you a coffee?

Explanation: A cup of coffee is something that you can count.

Non-count meaning: I value friendship along with the virtues of honesty

and compassion.

Explanation: Friendship refers to the general idea.

Count meaning: I have many friendships that span more than a

decade.

Explanation: Friendships refer to a number of specific bonds

with friends.

Food and beverage non-count nouns can be used

in a count sense.

I enjoy juices from B.C.

count meaning: kinds of juice

The foods presented at the culinary arts show

impressed all.
count meaning: kinds of food
 Quiz Yourself:
Article Use
Circle the response that best completes the sentence. Sometimes no article is required

1. If three sides of a triangle are of equal length, the triangle is____________equilateral.

a. an
b. a
c. the

2. Benny swears he saw______________ UFO flying over his house last night.
a. an
b. a
c. nothing

3. ___ number of hours I sleep does not depend on how late I go to bed, but on what
time I get up.
a. An
b. A
c. The
d. nothing

4. Tina’s had more trouble with her back, so she’s thinking of going to ____
acupuncturist.
a. an
b. a
c. nothing

5. Is there______ good coffee shop around here?

a. an
b. a
c. the
d. nothing

continued on next page

 Quiz Yourself:
Article Use
Continued

6. We ate at the Funky Monkey last night, too. Just before dessert, we saw you
leaving_________ restaurant.
a. an
b. a
c. the
d. nothing

7. I have your________ bag in the trunk of my car.

a. an
b. a
c. the
d. nothing

8. Now Dino lives in______ house, not a condo.

a. an
b. a
c. the
d. nothing

9. If it looks like it may rain when I leave for work, I always take_________ umbrella.
a. an
b. a
c. the
d. nothing

10. Next year we’ll travel to_______Australia, a country we haven’t visited before.
a. an
b. a
c. the
d. nothing
 Challenge Yourself:
Article Use
Correct the article errors in the following sentences by adding, deleting, or changing the
article. Note: There may be more than one error per sentence.

1. I started working at restaurant last week.

2. I’m a hostess at The Funky Monkey: I greet people at front door and help them
find a seat.

3. I ask the customers if they would like a table near the window, or one of a booths
along the wall.

4. A restaurant is really nice, so I have to make sure I dress up for the work.

5. I went to mall last week and bought a pair of black dress pants and the white
dress shirt.

6. When I get my first paycheque, maybe I’ll go back and buy a dress I saw this
morning.

7. One of my new coworkers said the tips at The Funky Monkey are great on a
weekends.

8. If they don’t schedule me to work at least Fridays, I may have to find the second
job somewhere.

9. I have to start work at 2:00 p.m., and usually I work a eight-hour shift, unless
business is slow.
Pronoun Cases

Subjective Pronouns

When the pronoun is the subject of the verb, use the subjective case. The
following are subjective pronouns:

Singular Plural
I you (singular) he, she, it we you (plural) they

I am taking English next year. I is the subject of the verb take.

We saw the thief leave the store. We is the subject of the verb saw.
You help at the veterinary clinic. You is the subject of the verb help.

Objective Pronouns

When the pronoun is the object of the verb or preposition, use the objective
case. The following are object pronouns:

Singular Plural
me you (singular) him, her, it us you (plural) them

Your sister is going with us to see that play. Us is the object of the verb going.
Please pass me that tool by your foot. Me is the object of the verb pass.
The dog jumped right over him. Him is the object of the preposition over.
Choose the correct pronoun when replacing noun groups or a noun and a
pronoun together.

It is common to make a pronoun error when using these structures. It helps to drop
one pronoun or the noun temporarily to see if the sentence is correct.

Examples: Shau-yu and me like to check out the market on Saturdays.

Drop Shau-yu. Is “Me like to check out the market” correct?
The pronoun is the subject of like - the correct subject pronoun is I.

Corrected: Shau-yu and I like to check out the market on Saturdays.

Examples: Annie wants to go to the story workshop with Olaulu and I.

Drop Olaulu. Is “With I” correct?
The pronoun is the object of the verb go - the correct object
pronoun is me.

Corrected: Annie wants to go to the story workshop with Olaulu and me.

It is also helpful to imagine the sentence with the pronoun directly beside
the verb.

Incorrect: Us two enjoy snowshoeing.

(Would you say “Us enjoy snowshoeing”?)

Correct: We two enjoy snowshoeing.

Informal writing allows the subjective case who when the pronoun is the object
in the sentence.

Who am I speaking to?

In formal writing, you use the objective case whom when the pronoun is the
object in the sentence.

To whom am I speaking?

You is used for both the singular and plural form in both
the subjective and objective cases.

Possessive Pronouns

When you want to indicate ownership of something, use the possessive pronoun
form. The following are possessive pronouns:

my/mine their/theirs his, her/hers, it/its

your/yours our/ours whose

This is my stop.
I didn’t think much of that presentation of theirs.
Her decorating sense is unique.
Whose idea was it to have dinner here?
Some possessive pronouns are used to show possession or ownership.

I never go a whole month without washing my car.

Some possessive pronouns can stand alone.

I never go a whole month without washing mine.

Your and you’re sound exactly the same, but they’re

different parts of speech.

Incorrect: Your going to like this beach we’re hiking to.

Explanation: The correct word here would be the contraction of

you are: you’re.

Correct: Your shoes are coming undone!

Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns introduce clauses that are dependent on the rest of the sentence.

that whom who which whose

Relative pronouns have different forms according to their case.

Subject Object Possessive

personal who whom whose
impersonal which which whose
that that
 I went to see the singer who played on Saturday.

Explanation: Who is a relative pronoun, which is the subject of the clause

who played on Saturday.

I read the book that my roommate recommended to me.

Explanation: That, an impersonal relative pronoun, is the object of the

clause that my roommate recommended to me.

Note: roommate is the subject.

Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask a question. These pronouns can all be
used as relative pronouns. What makes these pronouns interrogative? They are
found in a question.

what whom who

which whose

Whose pencils are these?

What time do we have to leave?
Who told you that?
To whom did you tell that?

The suffix “ever” or “soever” can be added to make the

pronouns whoever, whichever, whosoever.
Use who, which, and what as subjective pronouns; use whom as the objective
pronoun.

Incorrect: Which did you give that piece of advice to?

Explanation: Which is not an interrogative pronoun.

Correct: To whom did you give that piece of advice?

Pronouns Following “to be” Verbs

Informal writing and speaking allows the use of the objective case following
to be verbs.

It was her.
This is him speaking.
I hope it is me who wins the prize.

In formal writing, you use the subjective case.

It was she.
This is he speaking.
I hope it is I who wins the prize.
 Quiz Yourself:
Pronoun Cases
Select the correct pronoun from the options provided.

1. The people in the lineup gave the pop to Hanifa and___________ _ .

a. me
b. I

2. The contributors to the magazine, Morris and_____ , received their cheques three
weeks late.
a. him
b. he

3. Haru sent flowers to_____ _.

a. she
b. her

4. Several of_____ are going to Hawaii for our spring vacation.

a. we
b. us

5. I knew that______ running up the staircase would wake up the baby.

a. his
b. he

6. To__________ should I address my letter of acceptance?

a. who
b. whom

7. two are planning a reunion for everyone who took that summer
language course last year.
a. Us
b. We

8. The chances of_______ completing the race in under one hour are not
looking good.
a. us
b. we
continued on next page
 Quiz Yourself:
Pronoun Cases
Continued

9. Amadi and______ ate the whole chocolate cake ourselves.

a. me
b. I

10. It was______ who called so late last night.

a. he
b. him

11. To_______ do you want to award the prize?

a. whom
b. which

12. Give these jerseys to the team________ is playing on the back field.
a. whom
b. who

13. We need a frame for the picture______ will go above our bed.
a. who
b. that

14. My sister is six inches taller than_____ _ .

a. I
b. me

15. Some students leave their laptops in their study carrels while they use the
restroom, but I’d never leave_____ _ .
a. mine
b. my
 Challenge Yourself:
Pronoun Cases
Edit the following sentences by correcting the incorrect pronoun use in the text.

1. Whom will be the one to look after us when we’re no longer able to work?

2. Its easy to say the government will.

3. You and me hope that our government has taken steps to ensure the Canadian
Pension Plan is secure.

4. But should us people spend everything we get, knowing that there is a social
security net?

5. Many people think them’ll be fine with the income they will get from CPP alone.

6. Take my mother. Her and I have very different lifestyles.

7. The best approach for we to take is saving, and saving early.

8. I contribute to my retirement savings plan every month. I wonder if my mother

ever adds to her?

9. I tell my kids this, but they look at me as if to say, “Are you talking to Lisa and I?”

10. They don’t have any interest. Give you ten years, and they’ll be starting to think
about this.
Adjective versus Adverb Usage

Purpose of Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns.

ripe peaches a week’s vacation hot, humid weather

purple shorts two-year-old child

Purpose of Adverbs
Adverbs are words that describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. A word is an
adverb if it answers how, when, or where. Many—but not all—adverbs are formed by
adding ly to an adjective.

She ran by quickly.

Pour the milk into the batter slowly.
He left early.

Avoid confusing adjectives and adverbs.

Examples of adverb versus adjective confusion

Incorrect: He did fair on that last test.

Correct: He did fairly on that last test.

Incorrect: Something has gone wrongly with programming the new DVR.

Correct: Something has gone wrong with programming the new DVR.
Some words do not change their form.

Adjective: hard
The hard shell of the crab could not be cracked.

Adverb: hard
I ran hard, but I still didn’t win the race.

Some words have a different suffix.

Adjective: beautiful
It was such a beautiful day that we couldn’t sit in the library to read.

Adverb: beautifully
The student recited the poem beautifully to the class.

Some words take on a completely different form.

Adjective: good
That bouquet of roses smells good.
That was a good stir-fry you made for dinner.

Adverb: well
She knows well what to do.
He performs well on stage.

Incorrect: Annika did good on her last essay.

Correct: Annika did well on her last essay.

To say I am good usually implies you are not only in

good health, but your spirits are high.
The exception comes when we use well as an adjective to mean “not sick.”

I am well, thank you.

Another Exception

Use the adjective form bad after verbs when referring to human emotions—to
use badly would mean your sense of touch isn’t working right.

My friend’s cat died this weekend. I felt bad for him.

Incorrect: The driver felt badly about the accident.

Correct: The driver felt bad about the accident.

 Quiz Yourself:
Adjectives and Adverbs
Circle the word that better completes the sentence.

1. She did a_______ good job of completing that painting.

a. really
b. real

2. Now that my knee has healed, I’m running_______ again.

a. quickly
b. quick

3. Leba is quite________ .
a. smartly
b. smart

4. The taxi driver drove___________ through the traffic.

a. skillfully
b. skillful

5. He was_________ enough to go to school, even though he had the flu last week.
a. well
b. good

6. I hope to be flying to California in the________ future.

a. nearly
b. near

7. The team_______ was ready to play the game after a year of practice.
a. surely
b. sure

8. My dog has been_______ since last week.

a. sickly
b. sick

9. The baby’s cough sounds___________so we should take her to the doctor.

a. badly,
b. bad,

10. Jacob walks__________ down the street when he listens to music.

a. carelessly
b. careless
 Challenge Yourself:
Adjectives and Adverbs
Edit the sentences to change the incorrect adjectives to adverbs, and vice versa.

1. My sister looked after my house while I was away. I wanted to do something

nicely for her.

2. I’ve always got along with my sister fabulous.

3. I called to see if she wanted to go to a concert, but she had the flu and was not
feeling good.

4. After the concert, I let myself into her place quiet with a bouquet of flowers.

5. It was lately, so I didn’t want to disturb her if she was already asleep.

6. I peeked in her room, and she looked so sweetly, lying with her head propped
on a pile of pillows.

7. I backed out of the room stealth and ran the water in the kitchen to fill up the
vase.

8. I could happy live here, I thought, if my sister wanted me to be her roommate.

9. Just then, my sister threw the door open violent, and yelled, “What are you
doing here?”

10. “I felt so scarily when I heard someone here. Thank goodness it is you!