1．Plurals复数

a．To form the plural of a singular noun，ordinarily add-s to the singular form．

通常情况下，名词词尾加-s即构成复数。

computer\computers;office\offices

b．If the singular form of a noun ends in ch，sh，s，x，or z，add-es．

以ch，sh，s，x或z结尾的词加-es。

miss\misses;tax\taxes

c．If the singular form of a noun ends in y and the y is preceded by a consonant，change the y to i and add-es．If the y is preceded by a vowel，add-s．

以“辅音字母+y”结尾的词变y为i再加-es；而以“元音字母+y”结尾的词直接加-s。

company\companies;copy\copies;journey\journeys

d．Many singular nouns form their plurals by changing a vowel or vowels within the word．

有些名词可通过内部元音改变构成复数。

man\men;foot\feet;mouse\mice;tooth\teeth;woman\women

But:German\Germans

e．Many singular nouns ending in f or fe change the f or fe to v and add-es．

以f或fe结尾的名词通常将f或fe变v，再加-s或-es构成复数。

leaf\leaves;wife\wives;half\halves

But:safe\safes;chief\chiefs;proof\proofs

f．When the compound is written as one word，form the plural at the end of the word;when the compound is written with either a space or a hyphen between the words，make plural the main word in the compound．

复合名词可在最后一个名词词尾加-s或-es构成复数，有时也可以在主要名词词尾加-s。

toothbrush\toothbrushes;letterhead\letterheads;footnote\footnotes

But:passerby\passersby;sales manager\sales managers;mother-in-law\mothers-in-law;bulletin board\bulletin boards;editor in chief\editors in chief

g．The plurals of letters，numbers，symbols，signs，regarded as words，are formed by adding an apostrophe and-s．This is the only time that an apostrophe is used to form a plural．

字母、数字、符号等可通过加“'”，再加-s构成复数。

5\5's;F．O．B．\F．O．B．'s;$\$'s

h．Some nouns are always or almost always singular and require singular verbs when they are used as subjects．

有些名词单复数同形，作主语时谓语通常用单数形式。

equipment education advice music information merchandise weather assistance integrity civics attention cooperation

i．Some nouns are always or almost always plural in meaning and in usage．

另有一些名词通常以复数形式出现，谓语也须用复数形式。

premises pliers scissors trousers thanks remains credentials goods auspices riches proceeds belongings

j．Memorize the correct plural forms of these personal titles．

下列表示称谓的复数形式需要记住。

singular:Mr．Mrs．Miss Ms．Dr．

plural:Messrs．Mmes．Misses Mses．Drs．