Let's solve this worksheet on
Irregular Plural Nouns. The task is to
circle the correct plural form of each noun.
Here’s a breakdown of each item with explanations:
---
1. waltz
-
waltzes ✔
-
waltz ✘ (singular)
👉 *Regular plural: add -es* because "waltz" ends in 's'.
✔ Correct answer: waltzes
---
2. axis
-
axes ✔
-
axises ✘
👉 *Irregular plural: "axis" becomes "axes"* (like "appendix" → "appendices")
✔ Correct answer: axes
---
3. volcano
-
volcanoes ✔
-
volcano ✘
👉 *Regular plural: add -es* (because it ends in 'o' and is pronounced with a vowel sound)
✔ Correct answer: volcanoes
---
4. man
-
mans ✘
-
men ✔
👉 *Irregular plural: "man" → "men"*
✔ Correct answer: men
---
5. synopsis
-
synopses ✔
-
synopsi ✘
👉 *Irregular plural: "synopsis" → "synopses"* (add -es)
✔ Correct answer: synopses
---
6. life
-
lifes ✘
-
lives ✔
👉 *Irregular plural: change 'f' to 'v' and add -es*
✔ Correct answer: lives
---
7. echo
-
echoes ✔
-
echos ✘
👉 *Regular plural: add -es* (common for words ending in 'o' that are pronounced with a vowel sound)
✔ Correct answer: echoes
---
8. syllabus
-
syllabuses ✘
-
syllabi ✔
👉 *Latin-derived word: "syllabus" → "syllabi"* (plural follows Latin pattern)
✔ Correct answer: syllabi
---
9. mouse
-
mice ✔
-
meese ✘
👉 *Irregular plural: "mouse" → "mice"* (like "louse" → "lice")
✔ Correct answer: mice
---
10. tooth
-
tooths ✘
-
teeth ✔
👉 *Irregular plural: "tooth" → "teeth"*
✔ Correct answer: teeth
---
11. hypothesis
-
hypothesies ✘
-
hypotheses ✔
👉 *Latin-derived word: "hypothesis" → "hypotheses"* (add -es)
✔ Correct answer: hypotheses
---
✔ Final Answers (to circle):
1.
waltzes
2.
axes
3.
volcanoes
4.
men
5.
synopses
6.
lives
7.
echoes
8.
syllabi
9.
mice
10.
teeth
11.
hypotheses
---
💡
Tip: Irregular plurals often come from Latin, Greek, or Old English and don't follow standard rules. It's helpful to memorize common ones like:
- man → men
- mouse → mice
- tooth → teeth
- axis → axes
- hypothesis → hypotheses
Let me know if you'd like flashcards or practice!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of plural s worksheet.
