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a/an, plurals – singular and plural forms

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  • A/an, plurals – Grammar chart

    Comprehensive English grammar chart displaying rules for using articles 'a/an' and forming regular and irregular plurals with examples and spelling guidelines.

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    A/an

    We use a/an with singular nouns.

    • This is a table. 
    • It’s an orange. 

    We use a with nouns beginning with a consonant, and we use an with nouns beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u).

    • Give me an apple. 
    • There is an elephant in the zoo. 
    • It’s an amazing experience. 

    We also use an with nouns beginning with h if the h is not pronounced. But we use a if the h is pronounced.

    • Give me an hour. (The h is not pronounced in hour.)
    • I want to buy a hat. (The h is pronounced in hat.)

    We use a and NOT an with nouns beginning with u when it is pronounced /ju:/, like university. 

    • Is there a university in this city? 
    • I wear a uniform. 

    Plurals in English

    Do not use a + plural

    We do NOT use a/an with plural nouns.

    • These are tables.
    • These are a tables.

    Regular plurals

    We add -s to make plural nouns in English. Sometimes we need to add -es, -ies or –ves. Check the spelling in the grammar chart above.

    For more examples of plural spelling rules, see our dictionary entry on spelling.

    Irregular plurals

    Some words have irregular plurals and do NOT add -s to make their plural form.