GRAMMAR PLURALS Remember that plurals in English are not always formed simply by adding an s. Words ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, and -z require -es. Words that end in a consonant and -y change the y to i and add -es. Words that end in -o may add -es (tomatoes) or -s (photos). Words that end in -f or -fe usually change the f to v and add -s or -es. Most words of Greek or Latin origin keep their original plural in English. There are also several nouns that have irregular plural forms. 7 Give the plural of the words below. If you cannot give all of them, look them up in your dictionary. 1. analysis ............................ 10. fungus ............................ 19. ox ............................ 2. bacterium ............................ 11. goose ............................ 20. petri dish ............................ 3. branch ............................ 12. laboratory ............................ 21. phenomenon ............................ 4. child ............................ 13. louse ............................ 22. process ............................ 5. criterion ............................ 14. man ............................ 23. shelf ............................ 6. datum ............................ 15. medium ............................ 24. tomato ............................ 7. density ............................ 16. memo ............................ 25. tooth ............................ 8. foot ............................ 17. mouse ............................ 26. woman ............................ 9. formula ............................ 18. nucleus ............................ ACTIVITIES The same rules for forming plurals apply to the inflection of the 3rd personal singular of the present of verbs which usually add an s. 8 Give the infinitive of the verbs below. 1. It applies .......................................................... 4. It echoes .......................................................... 2. He washes .......................................................... 5. He processes .......................................................... 3. She brushes .......................................................... 6. It buzzes .......................................................... 9 When do you add an s to these numerals? 1. Macromolecules contain thousand of atoms. 2. Anatomically modern humans appeared on earth two hundred thousand years ago. 3. The new laboratories cost two million euros. 4. Million of people still die of hunger. 5. There were hundred of people queuing to visit the Natural History Museum. 6. We need two dozen new test tubes. 7. There are dozen of disposable gloves in the cabinet. 54 Module 1 ATOMS