King Alfred Academy Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Is there a rule that can be taught so that we are clear on using an 's' or an 'es' at the end of words to make them plural? Does it have anything to do with how many syllables the word ends up with once it is added? Exception being compound words like 'backpacks'? But then again...'pumpkins' is two syllables. Or, does it have something to do with the "base" word ending in an 's' sound...'glasses' or an 'sh' like in 'dishes'? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Herbster Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Words ending with the following letters always need an added es: s, x, tch, ch, sh, (are there more?) Examples: buses, boxes, latches, lunches, dishes There are some exceptions, like fish, which is the same in both sing. and pl. forms. In words like ages and laces, you can "hear" the es, but in reality, you added only an s onto the singular forms. Usually, you can figure out when you need to use es, just by sounding out what you know the plural form is. Backpackes just doesn't look or sound right, unless you're Gollum...but, then again, he would say "backpackses," wouldn't he? :D These are quick answers...Don't have my English grammar rule book handy at present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 If it adds an extra syllable. You need a vowel for the extra syllable. If the word ends in an "x", "ch", "sh" or "s" sound, you say an extra syllable to make it plural. fox fox-es church chur-ches truck trucks sconce scon-ces (not sconcees because there's already an 'e') Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emelsha Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Here is the rule from Alphabet Island Phonics: When a word ends in an 'S', we must usually double the 's' (pass) However, when we have more than one of something, we usually add the suffixes -'s' or -'es' to the word and we do not double the 's'. (Write on blackboard) We can hear which suffix we have added very easily. When we use '-es' it adds another syllable to the word. When we use '-s' it does not. cat > cats dish > dishes We also can add '-s' or '-es' to show what someone is doing: I run > she runs I push > he pushes We use '-es' with words that end with a sound similar to an 's' sound; words that end with 's', 'z', 'x', 'sh' and 'ch' Then they give a list of words to write on the blackboard so the child can write the proper suffix. Example: nod boss yell blush slave match grape spell puff splash press buzz etc Then we are to use those words for spelling for a couple days, and have them write sentences with them. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Also if it ends in "z" it needs the "-es". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 Just wanted to thank you for helping me out with this. I will be teaching this topic this week and was unsure how to go about it. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Words ending with the following letters always need an added es: s, x, tch, ch, sh, (are there more?) Well, words which end with /j/ (as in judge, bridge, badge, etc.) I guess don't technically add -es, since the phonogram is "dge," but they when you add -s, then it's -es, an extra syllable. Technically, it's the sounds that require -es: /s/, /z/, /ks/ (which would be x), /ch/, /sh/. So, regardless of the actual spelling, if those sounds are present, then you add -es. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin in Tx Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 One more way to look at it... You add an es anytime the plural form creates a new syllable, because every syllable needs a vowel. Simple as that. There are two basic exceptions which are easy to remember: 1. If the word ends with a silent e (age, lace, judge, bridge - all words pointed out in this thread already). In those cases, the silent e attaches to the s in the suffix and becomes the necessary vowel for the final syllable. You wouldn't make the word lace plural by spelling it lacees. The silent e in the root word plays multiple roles in the plural form - it still forces the long a sound and the soft c sound in the root word, but it also provides a vowel for the final syllable. 2. If the word ends in y, you turn the y into an i and add es. bunny - bunnies. You just have to remember this rule. For us, it has been a LOT easier to remember it this way than the cumbersome way this is usually taught (if a word ends in z, s, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin in Tx Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Sorry, this was supposed to be under King Alfred... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Usually, add s to a noun to form the plural Add es to nouns ending in s, sh, ch, x, or z. If a noun ends in y after a consonant, change the y to i and add es. If a noun ends in y after a vowel, just add s. Irregular nouns: child, foot, tooth, man, woman, mouse, goose, deer, sheep, fish And, yes, I learned the above in FLL3. I'm so glad I homeschool so I can learn things out of a 3rd grade book, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Lava Mama Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 General rule, just add s. Other rule: Words ending in s, sh, x, ch, z need "es". Our sentence to remember it is: Sally ships extra cheese to the zoo. Sally for the "s", ships for the "sh", extra for the "x", cheese for the "ch, and zoo for the "z". My son remembered it the first time! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 General rule, just add s. Other rule: Words ending in s, sh, x, ch, z need "es". Our sentence to remember it is: Sally ships extra cheese to the zoo. Sally for the "s", ships for the "sh", extra for the "x", cheese for the "ch, and zoo for the "z". My son remembered it the first time! :) This is fantastic! My son loves using things like this to remember stuff. thanks for sharing! I have printed all of these responses in the hopes of helping him understand. Thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.