Plurals and verb suffixes: -s and -es
Year group: 1
Source: DfE, English Appendix 1: Spelling, National Curriculum for England (2013) — Year 1
Curriculum requirement: Statutory
Purpose: Year 1 guide to plurals (-s, -es) and verb suffixes (-ing, -ed, -er) — rules, spelling changes, and practice activities for KS1.
The rule
Most nouns add -s to make a plural. Most verbs add -s for the third person singular (he/she/it).
cat → cats · dog → dogs · book → books
she runs · he jumps · it works
But when a word ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add -es instead — because you cannot say the s without adding a vowel sound first.
bus → buses (/bʌsɪz/)
wish → wishes (/wɪʃɪz/)
watch → watches (/wɒtʃɪz/)
fox → foxes (/fɒksɪz/)
When to add -s and when to add -es
| Word ending | Plural / 3rd person | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Most endings | + -s | cats, dogs, runs, jumps |
| -s | + -es | buses, gases |
| -ss | + -es | classes, grasses, bosses |
| -sh | + -es | wishes, brushes, dishes |
| -ch | + -es | watches, churches, beaches |
| -x | + -es | foxes, boxes, mixes |
| -z | + -es | quizzes, buzzes |
Why? Try saying watchs — you can't. Your mouth automatically adds a vowel (/ɪz/) between the ch and the s. The -es spelling records that extra syllable.
The -y to -ies rule (introduced at Y1, deepened at Y2)
When a word ends in consonant + y, change the y to i and add -es:
fly → flies · cry → cries · baby → babies
When a word ends in vowel + y, just add -s:
play → plays · day → days · boy → boys
Examples
Simple -s: cats · dogs · books · pens · cars · trees · flowers · birds · girls · boys · hands · feet (irregular) · cups · plates · spoons
-es (after -s/-ss/-sh/-ch/-x/-z): buses · classes · wishes · watches · boxes · foxes · churches · dishes · branches · beaches · mixes · buzzes · quizzes
-ies (consonant + y → ies): flies · cries · tries · babies · puppies · ladies · cities · stories · families · cherries · pennies · fairies · factories
-s after vowel + y: days · plays · boys · toys · ways · keys · monkeys · turkeys · donkeys
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| boxs | boxes | x → add -es |
| churchs | churches | ch → add -es |
| babys | babies | consonant + y → -ies |
| plaies | plays | vowel + y → just -s |
| wishs | wishes | sh → add -es |
| watchs | watches | ch → add -es |
Word sort
Add the correct plural. Sort by which ending you used.
Words: cat · wish · bus · fly · day · fox · church · baby · boy · dish · watch · play · class · monkey · story
| + -s | + -es | + -ies |
|---|---|---|
Dictation sentences
- The foxes ran across the field while the dogs chased the birds.
- She had three wishes and spent her days thinking about what to choose.
- The babies played with their toys while the buses rumbled past.
- He put the boxes on the shelves and sorted the dishes into piles.
- The stories she told about the churches and cities kept everyone quiet.
Source: DfE English Appendix 1: Spelling (2013). All examples verified against Year 1 statutory content.
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