Plurales irregulares en inglés

What are irregular plurals and how can you learn them?

Irregular plurals in English are a common challenge when learning the language, as they don't follow the standard rules of simply adding an -s or -es to the end of the singular word. This article will guide you through some key examples, along with strategies for remembering these peculiar forms - let's find out how you can master these plurals with confidence!

What are some common examples of irregular plurals?

• Man and woman: Although in the singular they are man and woman, in the plural they become men and women. You'll notice that the internal vowel changes, a common pattern in irregular plurals.

• Fish and sheep: Surprisingly, these nouns keep their plural form. So, fish remains fish, and sheep remains sheep.

• Goose, tooth and knife: These present more marked changes. The singular goose, for example, becomes geese in the plural. Tooth changes to teeth, and knife to knives, where a typical rule is to change the f to a v before adding -es.

What are some other rules or patterns to keep in mind?

Some nouns do not change simply by adding an -s or -es, but require a change in an internal vowel or group of letters:

• Mouse: changes from mouse to mice.
• Person: although expected to be persons, the correct plural is people.
• Syllabus: this academic noun changes from syllabus to syllabi, reflecting its Latin origin.

How can you practice and remember these irregular forms?

• Categorize nouns: Group them according to similarities. For example, those that only change internal vowels or those that do not change at all.

• Create sentences or stories: Use plurals in context. Simple sentences will help you remember the necessary transformation in each case.

• Use additional resources: Date the link to the worksheet suggested in the content, where you can do exercises to reinforce these rules.

Why is it important to master irregular plurals?

Understanding and correctly using irregular plurals not only improves your ability as an English learner, but also builds your confidence when communicating. Although they may seem complicated, with practice and the right strategies, they will come more and more naturally to you - go ahead, practice, and soon you'll be an expert in irregular plurals!