Functions of noun or nominal structure: Collective nouns are all singular in form but may be singular or plural in usage.

FORMING PLURALS 6. Most nouns form their plural by adding –s book – books; Paula – Paulas. Nouns ending in sibilant sounds s, z, ch, sh, tch, x form their plurals by adding –es tax – taxes. Figures, letters, symbols, and any other items that do not have natural plurals form their plurals by adding -‘s m – m’s; 10 – 10’s; + - +‘s, etc. 7. Nouns that end in y form their plurals in one of two ways. If a vowel precedes the y, add an s toy – toys. If a consonant precedes the y , change the y to i and add es baby – babies. Nouns that end in o form their plurals in one of two ways. If a vowel precedes the o, or if the noun is a musical term,add an s alto – altos, ratio - ratios. If a consonant precedes the o , add es echo – echoes, tomato – tomatoes. Hyphenated nouns usually form their plurals by adding s to the first word mother-in-law – mothers-in-law.

8. There are unusual plurals such as the following.

a. The same forms: deer – deer fish – fish salmon – salmon sheep – sheep trout – trout moose – moose b. Borrowing words: datum – data alumnus – alumni index – indices crisis – crises radius – radii medium – media

c. Changing ending in f or fe to ves:

half – halves knife – knives However, some take -s ending: chief – chiefs belief – beliefs d. Completely irregular forms: child – children mouse – mice foot – feet tooth – teeth FORMING POSSESSIVES 9. If a noun is singular, add an apostrophe + s, that is, ‘s lady – lady’s bag, girl – girl’s dog. If following this rule makes pronunciation awkward, add only the apostrophe Moses – Moses’store. If a noun is plural and ends in s, add an apostrophe after the s boys – boys’ cats. If a noun is plural but doesn’t end in s, add an ‘s men – men’s jackets. With a hyphenated noun, add ‘s after the last element brother-in-law – brother-in-law’s house. 10. For compound nouns, use this rules. Show joint ownership by adding ‘s to the last name only Bill and Tom’s room. Æ They both own it. Show separate ownership by adding ‘s to each name Bill’s and Tom’s books. Æ Each owns a book. 10a. Gerunds that are preceded by a possessive noun require that the noun use an apostrophe. Harry’s leaving surprised us Jill’s swimming has improved rapidly. 10b. The possessive form of indefinite pronouns requires an apostrophe. The possessive form of personal pronouns, however, never takes an apostrophe. one’s free time my house somebody else’s wallet their car 10c. Use the possessive form of the noun or pronoun even when the noun is understood not expressed. Whose key did you give me? I gave you Karen’s. the key is understood 10d. In the case of noun phrases or abbreviations, form the possessive by placing the apostrophe ‘s after the last element of the term. Alexander the Great’s journeys took him to India.