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      Forming plural nouns using the suffix -s and -ies

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can apply spelling rules to spell plural nouns that end in the suffix -s and -ies.

      Key learning points

      1. Adding -s or -es to a noun creates a plural.
      2. If the word ends in a vowel (a, e, i, u) or consonant, just add -s.
      3. If the word ends in 'y' preceded by a vowel, just add -s.
      4. If the word ends in 'y' preceded by a consonant, remove the 'y' and add -ies.
      5. How to spell the curriculum words: harass and recommend.

      Keywords

      • Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word

      • Noun - a naming word for people, places and things

      • Singular - only one

      • Plural - more than one

      • Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes

      Common misconception

      Pupils may not be able to spell the root word of plural nouns that are being focused on.

      For pupils who need more support, provide the root word (singular noun) as a starting point for Practise Task B, so they can focus on securing the rules around plurals.

      Teacher tip

      Use ‘show me’ cards for -s and -es endings. Pupils show the correct ending in response to an oral word.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Select the plurals from the list below. Remember, a plural noun means there is more than one.

      Correct answer: spoons
      bus
      pen
      Correct answer: birds

      Q2.
      Match the singular and plural forms of the nouns.

      Correct Answer:house,houses

      houses

      Correct Answer:apple,apples

      apples

      Correct Answer:banana,bananas

      bananas

      Correct Answer:story,stories

      stories

      Correct Answer:knife,knives

      knives

      Correct Answer:dog,dogs

      dogs

      Q3.
      Select the plural common nouns.

      Correct answer: trees
      bicycle
      Tuesday
      Correct answer: coats
      peace

      Q4.
      What does 'plural' mean?

      only one
      three
      Correct answer: more than one
      a noun
      none

      Q5.
      What rule is being used when the word 'jog' becomes 'jogging' when adding the suffix -ing?

      Just add -ing.
      Remove the 'e' and add -ing.
      Correct answer: Double the consonant and add -ing.

      Q6.
      What rule is being used when the word 'rely' becomes 'relied' when adding the suffix -ed?

      Just add -ed.
      Correct answer: Remove the ‘y’ and add -ied.
      Remove the ‘e’ and add -ed.
      Double the consonant and add -ed.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: I love these partees.

      partys
      Correct answer: parties
      partyes
      partyies

      Q2.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: The donkies are braying in the field.

      donkys
      Correct answer: donkeys
      donkeyes
      donkyies

      Q3.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: Do you believe in faerys?

      fairys
      Correct answer: fairies
      faires
      fairyes

      Q4.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Pass the bowl of cherrys please!

      Correct Answer: cherries

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. It is wrong to haras others.

      Correct Answer: harass

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Which book would you recomend?

      Correct Answer: recommend

      To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Forming plural nouns using the suffix -s and -ies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...