Plurals: Adding -s and -es

One and more than one

When there is just one of something, we use the singular: one cat 🐱.

When there are two or more, we use the plural: two cats 🐱🐱. Plural means more than one!

Most of the time we just add a little -s to the end. ➕

Add -s to most words

For most words, just add -s to make the plural.

• one cat 🐱 → two cats 🐱🐱
• one dog 🐶 → two dogs 🐶🐶
• one hat 🎩 → two hats 🎩🎩
• one star ⭐ → two stars ⭐⭐
• one book 📖 → two books 📖📖

Easy! The word stays the same, you just add -s.

Add -es after s, x, ch, sh

Some words need a bigger ending: -es. We use -es when a word ends in s, x, ch or sh. Try saying "boxs" — it is hard! "Boxes" is easier. 📦

• one box 📦 → two boxes 📦📦
• one fox 🦊 → two foxes 🦊🦊
• one bus 🚌 → two buses 🚌🚌
• one dish 🍽️ → two dishes 🍽️🍽️
• one brush 🖌️ → two brushes 🖌️🖌️

A word list to read

One (singular)	Ending	More (plural)
cat 🐱	-s	cats
dog 🐶	-s	dogs
pen 🖊️	-s	pens
box 📦	-es	boxes
bus 🚌	-es	buses
dish 🍽️	-es	dishes

How to choose

When you make a plural, ask one question:

1. Does the word end in s, x, ch or sh?
2. Yes → add -es (box → boxes). 📦
3. No → just add -s (cat → cats). 🐱

Well done!

Now you can read and make plurals. Count the things around you and add -s or -es!

Next, try Word Families and Rhyming Words.