ESL Grammar: PLURAL NOUNS ending in -y

This ESL grammar lesson teaches how to make the plural form of nouns ending in “-y.” With some nouns, you must change the “y” to “i” and add “-es.” Students then practice writing the plural form of various nouns.

Understanding how to form plural nouns that end in -y is a key component of mastering English grammar. This lesson on plural nouns ending in -y is designed to help ESL students grasp the rules and practice forming plurals effectively. Whether you’re teaching online or in person, this comprehensive guide will support students in mastering these important grammar rules.

ESL Grammar: Rules for Forming Plural Nouns Ending in -y

1. Change -y to -ies:
   • When a singular noun ends in a consonant followed by -y, change the -y to -ies to form the plural.
     • Examples:
       • “baby” becomes “babies”
       • “city” becomes “cities”
       • “party” becomes “parties”
2. Add -s:
   • When a singular noun ends in a vowel followed by -y, simply add -s to form the plural.
     • Examples:
       • “boy” becomes “boys”
       • “key” becomes “keys”
       • “day” becomes “days”

This beginner-level ESL grammar lesson on nouns is perfect for both online and in-person classes, offering diverse content to suit any learning environment. Explore this and many similar grammar lessons for all levels on our page of ESL grammar lessons.

This lesson is available for free download, and you can download many more English grammar lessons focusing on parts of speech just like this in our comprehensive, beginner-level ESL grammar textbook Great, Great Grammar! (Book 1: Parts of Speech).