Beginner 📐 Grammar · #207 of 305

Same Singular and Plural

Some nouns do not change in the plural.

Examples

  • one sheep, two sheep
  • one fish, many fish

Key rules

  • Some nouns have the same singular and plural form (sheep, fish, deer, series, species)
  • The verb shows the number: The sheep is eating. The sheep are eating.
  • Fish can be fishes only for different kinds of fish
  • Do not add -s to these nouns

Common mistakes

  • two sheeps → two sheep
  • many fishes → many fish
💡 Tip: Check the verb or a number word to see if the noun is plural.
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← Nouns Ending in -f or -fePlural-Only Nouns →

Related Beginner topics

See all Beginner grammar lessons →

Nouns: Naming Words

A noun names a person, place, thing or idea.

Singular and Plural Nouns

Add -s to most nouns; add -es after s, x, ch, sh.

Irregular Plurals

Some nouns change form instead of adding -s.

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Countable nouns can be counted; uncountable ones cannot take a/an or plural.

Proper and Common Nouns

Proper nouns name specific things and start with a capital letter.

Subject Pronouns

I, you, he, she, it, we, they replace the subject.