Plurals ending in -es (after s, sh, ch, x, z)
You learn when to add -es instead of -s to form plurals of words ending in s, x, z, ch, or sh.
How to write it
If a word ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z, add -es to make it plural so you can pronounce the extra syllable.
A worked example
Pack the books into cardboard ___. (box + es)
- Box ends in x (a hissing sound).
- Add -es: b-o-x-e-s.
- You spell boxes.
More examples
Wait at the station for the school ___. (bus + es)
- Bus ends in s.
- Add -es to pronounce the plural: b-u-s-e-s.
- You spell buses.
Blow out the candles and make three ___. (wish + es)
- Wish ends in sh.
- Add -es: w-i-s-h-e-s.
- You spell wishes.
Try it yourself
plural -es
The has eight different ___.
plural -es
The shop sells clocks and wrist___.
Watch out
Adding just -s to hissing words, writing boxs or watchs.
Say the plural aloud. If you hear an extra syllable ("box-iz", "watch-iz"), write -es.
Tips
- Words ending in s, ss, x, z, ch, sh always take -es in the plural.
Why it works
When a singular noun ends with a hissing or buzzing sound (s, x, z, ch, sh), adding just -s would be impossible to pronounce. Adding -es creates an extra syllable (/ɪz/).