The rule, as people use it
Most English nouns become plural by adding -s: one book, two books. When the word ends in a hissing sound like s, sh, ch or x, you add -es so it can be pronounced: bus, buses; watch, watches. Words ending in a consonant plus Y change the Y to -ies: city, cities. And a small group of very common words change completely: man and men, child and children, person and people, foot and feet.
In speaking, the plural matters less for grammar than for being understood. "I have two brother" is clear but marks you as a learner in a way almost nothing else does, because the -s is the first thing native ears expect. Say the ending, especially the -es one: "watches" has two syllables.
Examples
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Fill the gap
Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.
- 1
I bought three (box) of tea.
- 2
Both (child) are at school now.
- 3
There are two (woman) waiting outside.
- 4
How many (country) have you visited?
- 5
The (dish) are still in the sink.
- 6
Most (person) here speak two languages.
- 7
Two (coffee), please.
- 8
My (foot) are cold.
Practice · 3 min
Look around the room you are in and name ten things you can see more than one of. Say each one as a plural, out loud, with a number: "four chairs, two windows, a lot of books". Write the ten down, then check the spelling of any that end in -es or -ies.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.