1
One report, two reports. Most nouns add -s.
8 Plural Noun Examples
Use these examples to study structure, specificity, tone, and variation. They are demonstrations—not claims about a real person or organization unless the example itself makes that explicit.
Before you copy
What to notice in the examples
Accurate plural nouns preserve the intended number and agreement while distinguishing plural endings from possessive apostrophes, especially in formal writing where irregular forms and borrowed words can create uncertainty.
- Identify the grammatical job plural noun is doing in the sentence rather than judging it by appearance alone.
- Check the words immediately around the plural noun for agreement, punctuation, attachment, or boundary clues that determine whether the construction is correct.
- Read the complete sentence for clarity and rhythm after editing the plural noun, because a technically valid form can still be awkward or ambiguous.
2
One box, three boxes. Many nouns ending in sibilant sounds add -es.
3
One city, several cities. A consonant + y commonly changes to -ies.
4
One child, four children. The plural is irregular.
5
One analysis, two analyses. Some Greek-derived nouns change form.
6
The criteria are listed below. Criteria is traditionally plural; criterion is singular.
7
The 1990s changed the industry. Decade plurals do not need an apostrophe.
8
Three clients’ accounts were migrated. Clients is plural; the following apostrophe marks possession.
Keep the underlying decision or pattern, then replace the subject, evidence, relationship, constraints, and tone with details that belong to your situation. If your final line still works after swapping only one noun, it may be too close to the example.