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Plurals ending in -es (after s, sh, ch, x, z)

You learn when to add -es instead of -s to form plurals of words ending in s, x, z, ch, or sh.

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How to write it

If a word ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z, add -es to make it plural so you can pronounce the extra syllable.

A worked example

Pack the books into cardboard ___. (box + es)

  1. Box ends in x (a hissing sound).
  2. Add -es: b-o-x-e-s.
  3. You spell boxes.
More examples

Wait at the station for the school ___. (bus + es)

  1. Bus ends in s.
  2. Add -es to pronounce the plural: b-u-s-e-s.
  3. You spell buses.

Blow out the candles and make three ___. (wish + es)

  1. Wish ends in sh.
  2. Add -es: w-i-s-h-e-s.
  3. You spell wishes.

Try it yourself

  1. plural -es

    The has eight different ___.

  2. plural -es

    The shop sells clocks and wrist___.

Watch out

  • Adding just -s to hissing words, writing boxs or watchs.

    Say the plural aloud. If you hear an extra syllable ("box-iz", "watch-iz"), write -es.

Tips

  • Words ending in s, ss, x, z, ch, sh always take -es in the plural.

Why it works

When a singular noun ends with a hissing or buzzing sound (s, x, z, ch, sh), adding just -s would be impossible to pronounce. Adding -es creates an extra syllable (/ɪz/).