Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Making plurals using the suffixes -s and -ies

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can turn nouns from singular to plural when I add the suffix -s or by changing the ‘y’ to an ‘i’ and adding the suffix -es.

      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: group, earth and yacht.

      Keywords

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

      • Plural - more than one

      • Singular - only one

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

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

      Common misconception

      Children may not be able to spell the root word of plural nouns in focus.

      For children who need more support, provide the root word (singluar 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. Children 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

      Loading...

      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: coats
      bus
      pen
      Correct answer: dogs

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

      Correct Answer:bicycle,bicycles
      Correct Answer:bottle,bottles
      Correct Answer:tree,trees
      Correct Answer:fairy,fairies
      Correct Answer:knife,knives
      Correct Answer:cat,cats

      Q3.
      Select the plural common nouns.

      Correct answer: trees
      house
      Monday
      Correct answer: books
      love

      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 'sip' becomes 'sipping' 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 'relying' when adding the suffix -ing?

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

      6 Questions

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

      storys
      Correct answer: stories
      storyes
      storyies

      Q2.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: The munkees were swinging through the trees.

      monkyes
      munkeys
      Correct answer: monkeys
      monkys

      Q3.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: Pass the bowl of cherys please!

      cherrys
      Correct answer: cherries
      cherres
      cherryes
      cheries

      Q4.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Different fruit grow in different countrys.

      Correct Answer: countries

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Which groopp do you want to join?

      Correct Answer: group

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. A yot is a type of boat.

      Correct Answer: yacht

      To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Making plurals using the suffixes -s and -ies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...