English words that don't change in plural form
When it comes to learning English grammar, one of the first lessons we encounter is how to form plurals. In most cases, it's a simple matter of adding an "s" to the end of a word, like "cat" becoming "cats" or "book" becoming "books." However, English is known for its quirks, and irregular nouns are one of those idiosyncrasies. In this blog post, we'll delve into what irregular nouns are and explore some English words that don't change in plural form.
What Are Irregular Nouns?
In English, most nouns follow a predictable pattern when it comes to forming plurals. You add "s" or "es" to the singular form to indicate that there is more than one of that noun. For example, "dog" becomes "dogs," and "box" becomes "boxes." These nouns that follow the standard pattern are called "regular nouns."
On the other hand, irregular nouns defy this pattern. They don't follow the usual rule of simply adding "s" or "es" to form their plurals. Instead, they undergo unique changes or remain unchanged. Irregular nouns often need to be memorized because they don't conform to a consistent formula.
Examples of english words that don't change in plural form
Sheep: Perhaps one of the most well-known examples of an irregular noun, "sheep" remains "sheep" whether you're talking about one or a hundred of them.
Deer: Similarly, "deer" doesn't change in its plural form. You can have one deer or a group of deer.
Fish: "Fish" can be either singular or plural. When referring to multiple fish of the same species, you can say "fish." If you're talking about different species of fish, you can use "fishes."
Aircraft: When discussing airplanes, "aircraft" is both singular and plural. You might say, "The aircraft is flying" or "The aircraft are flying."
Series: "Series" doesn't change when you're talking about multiple sets of things. You can have one series or several series.
Species: Similar to "series," "species" is invariant in its plural form. You can talk about one species or multiple species without changing the word.
Moose: "Moose" is another animal name that doesn't alter when talking about more than one. It's "moose" whether you have one or many.
Bison: Just like "moose," "bison" remains the same in plural form. You can see one bison or a herd of bison.
Offspring: When discussing children or young animals, "offspring" is both singular and plural. You can talk about one offspring or several offspring.
English can be a tricky language to master, thanks to its irregularities like irregular nouns. While most nouns follow a straightforward rule of adding "s" or "es" to form plurals, these exceptions remind us that language often doesn't conform to strict patterns. When dealing with irregular nouns, it's essential to memorize them and practice their usage. Understanding irregular nouns is just one aspect of English grammar that makes the language rich and diverse. So, the next time you encounter a word that doesn't change in its plural form, remember that it's just one of English's charming peculiarities.