ADDING ENDINGS TO WORDS SUCH AS "ED" AND "ING"
Change the "y" at the end of a word to an "i" before you add
an ending, except when you add "ing"
study + ed = studied
study + ing = studying
party + es = parties
party + ing = partying
When the "y" at the end of a word is preceded by a vowel,
do not change the "y" to an "i."
employ + s = employs
employ + ing = employing
If a word ends in a single consonant that is preceded by a
single vowel and the ending you are attaching begins with
a vowel ("ed," "ing," "est," and "er"), double the consonant
stop + ed = stopped
stoop + ed + stooped
If the word has more than one syllable, this rule applies only
if the last syllable is stressed
begin + ing since "gin" is stressed = beginning
happen + ing since "hap" is stressed = happening
If a word ends in "e" and the ending begins with a vowel, drop
the "e" before adding the ending. If the ending begins with
a consonant, keep the "e."
have + ing = having
live +ly = lively
PLURALIZING WORDS
To pluralize nouns, generally add an "s."
book + s
paper + s
If the noun ends in "s," "ch," "sh," or "x" add "es" to make
the noun plural.
class + es
church + es
brush + es
box + es
If the noun ends in a "y" preceded by a consonant,
change the "y" to an "i" and add "es."
candy + es = candies
If the "y" is preceded by a vowel, keep the "y" and add
an "s."
key + s
If the noun ends in "fe" change the "fe" to "ve" and add an "s."
Exceptions are safes and cafés.
knife + s = knives
If the noun ends in "f" change the "f" to "v" and add "es."
Exception is beliefs.
shelf + es = shelves
If the noun ends in "o," it may be pluralized by adding
"es" or "s" so please consult a dictionary.
In a word combination, add the "s" to the first word.
Accounts receivable
Sisters-in-law
Some words have a totally different plural form such as:
woman = women
foot = feet
goose = geese
mouse = mice
Some nouns have no plural form such as:
deer
sheep
shrimp