First Grammar Lessons: Part I, Lesson VIII

Lesson VIII

In this lesson we shall speak of the same things, that is, we shall have the same subjects for our sentences—table, wall, curtain.

But instead of one table we shall speak of several, and our subject will be not ‘the table,’ but ‘the tables.’

So the difference will be in the number of things of which we speak.

When we speak of a single one, we say ‘table.’

If we mean more than one we say ‘tables.’

The word for one thing is single, or singular—that is, one by itself.

The word for more than one may be new to you.

It comes from a Latin word that means more.

We say name-words are plural when more than one thing is meant.

If the number of things we speak of is more than one, the noun is in the plural number.

If the number of things is just one, the noun is in the singular number.

Singular nouns are generally made plural by adding s.

To be learnt.

When the number of things meant is more than one the noun is in the plural number.

A noun that means one thing is in the singular number.

Exercise VIII

1. Give the singular and plural for the names of twenty things in the house—

twenty things on the beach—

twenty things in a garden—

twenty things in a shop.

These nouns do not all make their plural in the same way: box, glass, brush, perch, and all other nouns that end in sh, ch, x or s, add es to make the plural, because s alone could not be pronounced. Find twenty such words.

In the same way ‘calfs’ or ‘loafs’ does not sound pleasant. So the f is changed into v, and es added—calves. Find ten such words.

Some nouns change in themselves, as man, men. Find ten such words.

Some nouns are the same for singular and plural, as sheep, scissors. Find twenty such words.

Nouns that end in ‘y’ (after a consonant) change the ‘y’ into ‘i,’ and add es—‘lady,’ ‘ladies.’ Find twenty such words.