Agreement Plural Words: A Comprehensive Guide for Copy Editors

As a copy editor, it`s essential to understand the rules of grammar and spelling, especially when it comes to agreement plural words. These are words that are used to describe more than one person, object, or idea, and they play a crucial role in ensuring that your sentences convey meaning accurately.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to agreement plural words, so you can edit your content with confidence.

1. Basic rules for creating agreement plural words

The basic rule for creating an agreement plural word is to add an “s” to the end of the singular noun. For example, one boy becomes two boys, while one book becomes two books. However, there are some exceptions to this rule that you should be aware of.

2. Exceptions to the basic rule

a) Words that end in “s,” “sh,” “ch,” “x,” or “z” – When a singular noun ends in any of these letters, you should add “es” to create the plural form. For instance, one bus becomes two buses, while one box becomes two boxes.

b) Words that end in “y” – For singular nouns that end in “y,” change the “y” to an “i” before adding the “es.” For example, one baby becomes two babies, while one city becomes two cities.

c) Irregular plural words – Some nouns do not follow the basic rule of adding an “s” or “es” to the end. For example, one man becomes two men, while one tooth becomes two teeth.

3. Agreement plural words in sentences

When using agreement plural words in sentences, it`s essential to ensure that the verb or pronoun agrees with the number of the noun. For example, we would say “the dogs bark” instead of “the dogs barks” because the verb “bark” needs to agree with the plural noun “dogs.”

Similarly, when using pronouns, we need to ensure that they agree in number with the noun they refer to. For example, “the teachers are happy because they received a raise” is correct because the plural noun “teachers” is referred to by the plural pronoun “they.”

In conclusion, understanding agreement plural words is essential for copy editors. Remember to follow the basic rules for creating plural words, be aware of exceptions to these rules, and ensure that verbs and pronouns agree with the number of the noun. With these tips in mind, you`ll be able to edit your content with accuracy and confidence.