It is plural in English. Pronouns in English are it, this. Exception words for plural nouns

Demonstrative pronouns in English they do not name a person or object, but point to it. Usually demonstrative pronouns include this, that and their plural forms these, those.

Demonstrative pronouns This – That and the difference between them

Pronoun this used to indicate an object or person nearby, like “this” in Russian. Pronoun that indicates an object, a person in the distance, like “that” or “that” in Russian. This in the plural is these, that in the plural is those:

This and that are classified as noun determiners, words that clarify meanings.

I hold the book in my hands, looking at the pictures.

I like this book. - I like this book.

I don't like these pictures. - I do not like these Pictures.

In a bookstore I point to the books on the shelf:

I like that book. - I like that book.

I don't like those books. - I do not like those books.

Pronoun that It is not always appropriate to translate into Russian as “that, that.” More often “this, this” is suitable. For example, I'm talking about a book that the interlocutor mentioned in a conversation. There is no book nearby, it is only mentioned.

I like that book. - I like this book.

This is That as noun pronouns

The pronouns this and that can act not as determiners of a noun, but in roles inherent in the nouns themselves. For example:

This is what we wanted. - This is what we wanted.

That was a good show. – It was a good performance.

I don't like this.- I don't like This.

Can you see that?- You This do you see?

Demonstrative pronouns Such, Same

Demonstrative pronouns also include such And same. Both pronouns do not have special plural forms.

1. Pronoun Such

The pronoun such means “such”, “of this type, kind”. If such comes before a singular noun, put : between them:

It was such an interesting movie. – It was such an interesting film.

Beer? At such a time? - Beer? At this hour?

The pronoun such is often used in surprised exclamations - joyful or not:

Such a wonderful place! – What a wonderful place!

Such a mess! - What a mess!

If such comes before a plural noun, the article is not needed:

I don't know such people. – I don’t know such people.

Why would she ask me such questions? “Why would she ask me such questions?”

2. Pronoun Same

The pronoun same means “the same”, “the same”. Since same identifies a specific noun, it is always preceded by

Most textbooks offer an analysis of singular and plural topics by categories of parts of speech: noun, verb, pronoun. We have prepared for you an unusual excursion into the world of numbers. Today we’ll talk about the most common cases and rules of “multiplication” in general, consider changes that are similar in appearance, but have different grammatical functions in different parts of speech, as well as some exceptions (sometimes it seems that the English language is one complete exception), and we’ll try to apply all this in the “natural environment”.

Singular in English ( singular/sg) denotes or characterizes one object:

a game
-self
this/that
he loves

Plural (plural/ pl) is used when the number of objects is more than one:

two cups of coffee
-selves
these/ those
they love

Ending -s/ -es

Ending -s- is one of the most common surviving endings in the English language and is an indicator of number. If the word ends in a hissing sound s/ ss/ x/ sh/ ch, it ends -es(this is due to more convenient pronunciation and does not visually lead to a pile-up of hissing words):

to match - it matches
to wash - she washes
a fox - foxes
a dress - dresses

From the above examples you can notice that:

he loves- singular
two cups- plural

The question arises - why?
The thing is that in the examples given above, the ending -s- appears in different parts of speech.
The number category of verbs is active only in the present tense. The exception is to be in the tense form Past Simple (was/were).
Thus at verbs ending -s/ -es indicates the use of the singular.

e.g.
Pl. vs. Sg.
we go - she goes
I spell - he spells(it is worth noting that in the Present Simple the pronoun I makes grammatical connections based on the plural principle with verbs and has a special form to be).
they say - it says

In nouns the opposite principle applies. The ending is an indicator of plurality.

eg.
Sg. vs. Pl.
a ticket - tickets
a bus - buses
a college - colleges

Words ending with -y-

The principle of change/no change -y- valid in English regardless of part of speech. Things to remember:

* if there is a vowel before -y-, in the plural the ending -s- is added to the word, and the letter -y- is retained:

a ray - rays
to buy - she buys

* if there is a consonant before -y-, in the plural the letter -y- changes to -ie-, followed by the plural ending:

to try - he tries
sky-skies

Now let's talk about special cases of number changes that are characteristic only of a certain part of speech.

Singular and plural nouns

In addition to the cases that we considered earlier, there are “special” numerical formations.
1. Change of word form.
There are a number of words that form the plural by changing the root vowels, sometimes the change affects the entire word form. These examples are not numerous. They are often singled out as exceptions. Let's list them:

man - men(and derivatives - fireman - firemen/ policeman - policemen)
woman/ˈwumən/ – women/ˈwɪmɪn/ (and derivatives - policewoman - policewomen)
tooth–teeth
foot – feet
goose – geese
mouse – mice
louse-lice
child – children
ox-oxen

Also in the English language there are a number of nouns that are written and pronounced the same regardless of their number - their forms are absolutely identical:

sheep - sheep/ sheep - sheep
swine – swine/ pig - pigs
deer – deer/ deer - deer
grouse – grouse/ black grouse, partridge - black grouse
series – series/ series - series
species – species/ species - species ( species of butterflies- type of butterfly)
corps/kɔːr/ – corps/ type of army

2. Borrowing
There is a fairly capacious category of borrowed words that have retained changes in the endings of their native language when forming plural forms. Most often these are words of Latin and Greek origin:

Sg. vs. Pl.
-us/ -i(cactus - cacti/ˈkæktaɪ/) - cactus
-on/ -a(phenomenon - phenomena)
-is/ -es(crisis - crises)
-um/ -a(datum-data)
-ex/ -ices (index - indexes)
-a/ -ae(formula - formulae)

In colloquial speech, these words do not constitute a daily minimum, but can occur in any situation.

3. “Numerical preferences”
In English you can find nouns that are used only in the singular or only in the plural. Exceptions again! Most often these are uncountable nouns or concepts that already contain a certain quantity in their meaning.

Singular forever. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is recommended to learn and remember these nouns, since they can be found in almost any area of our lives, and the principle by which they formed their attachment to the singular is often quite conventional.

money
hair(in the meaning of “hair” / can have a plural form meaning “hair”, “hair”)
news
information
knowledge
weather
work
advice
bread
furniture
music
progress

Words that have a certain amount of meaning ( dozen- dozen/ score- ten/ head- when counting livestock by head) both numbers are allowed, but with numerals they are used only in the singular:

three dozen roses

Plural prefer paired items (scissors- scissors, pants- trousers, spectacles- glasses, glasses- glasses, etc.), some geographical names ( The Netherlands, The Phillipines, The High Lands, etc.)

There are words that cannot be grouped, which you just need to remember:

police
people- people (it is possible to use “ a person” in singular) / a “ people - peoples“What matters is the people - the peoples
clothes
contents
wages
riches- wealth
manners
customs
outskirts
proceeds
goods

Verbs in singular and plural

we can - she can
you must - he must

The verb to be has a special relationship with numerical changes. It has specific shapes for each face - am/ is/ are(present tense) and was/were(in the past time).

we are - he is
they were - it was

Pronouns in singular and plural

In English personal pronouns and their possessive forms have the number category:
Sg. vs. Pl.
I-we
it - they
he-they
she - they
my - our

You always presented in the plural, although the singular form can be found Thou/ðaʊ/, which is used when addressing God.
Most pronouns either completely change the word form or imply a certain number by analogy with the Russian language:

every- each (sg.)
all- all (pl.)

A special case of changes in the plural form occurs in reflexive and demonstrative pronouns.

Reflexive pronouns contain a morpheme in the word -self, which in the plural will take the form -selves:

myself - myself
yourself - yourselves
himself - theirselves

Demonstrative pronouns also acquire new characteristics in sound and spelling:

this - these
that - those

We wish you intensive, entertaining practice and success!

Victoria Tetkina

Personal pronouns. in English they have two cases: nominative (usually in the role subject) And object (in a sentence in the role additions).

Face	Nominative	Objective case
	Singular
	I [ aI] I	me [ mJ] me, me
	you [ jH] You	you [ jH] you, you
	he [ hJ] He she [ S.J.] she it [ It] he she it	him [ hIm] him, him her [ hW] her, her it [ It] his, her, him, her
	Plural
	we [ wJ] We	us [ As] us, us
	you [ jH] You	you [ jH] you, you
	they [ DeI] They	them [ Dem] them, them

I [ aI] - I

Pronoun I is always written with a capital letter, regardless of the place it occupies in the sentence. If it is in the same sentence with other personal pronouns (or nouns), then it is placed after them:

you [ jH] - you you

In English there is no distinction between polite forms of address You and more familiar - You , similar to the Russian language. Pronoun you has the same form for singular and plural, and the predicate after it is always placed in the plural.

Note: When they want to ensure understanding of a pronoun you How plural numbers, then in British English they say: you two / three ..., you lot, you people, and in American - you folks, you all 's, you guys (regardless of the gender of the interlocutors).

he [ hJ] - He

she [ S.J.] - she

Pronoun he replaces a noun denoting males. Pronoun she replaces a noun denoting female persons. When talking about animals, pronouns he or she They are used only when they want to emphasize their gender, as well as in various fairy tales, fables, or in descriptions of the habits and character of their pets, thus distinguishing them from the general mass.

Exception: In England, when talking about a ship (of any size and purpose) or a car, they use the pronoun she(but speaking, for example, about an airplane - it). The names of most countries are also considered feminine nouns: England, Russia, etc.

it [ It] - he she it

Pronoun it replaces a noun denoting an inanimate object, abstract concept, animal or plant, and also replaces a noun baby, child – child, if they do not focus on the gender of the child. Translated into Russian by words he she it depending on the gender of the corresponding noun in Russian.

I looked at the window. It was closed.	I looked at window. It was closed.
Where is your cat? – It is on the sofa. It is sleeping.	Where is your cat(yours cat)? – He (she) on the couch. He (she) is sleeping.

they [ DeI] - They

Pronoun they replaces both animate and inanimate plural nouns:

Personal pronouns in the nominative case perform the function subject And nominal part of a compound predicate.

1 As subject:

2 As nominal part of a compound predicate It is possible to use personal pronouns as in nominative, and in objective cases. At the same time, the forms of the nominative case are considered bookish-official, and the forms of the objective case are considered colloquial.

Who is there? –It is I. = It is me . (colloquial form) Who's there? - This I.

Objective case.

Pronouns without a preposition.

Typical model: indirect object without preposition+ direct object .

Personal pronouns in the objective case perform the following function:

1 direct object(accusative case, answer the question whom? What?)

He saw me in the street.	He saw me on the street.
I love you.	I love you.
Do you know him?	You know his?
Take it!	Take it her/it! (for example, a notebook)

2 or non-prepositional indirect object(dative case answering the question to whom?):

In the last example, "book" is a direct object. A pronoun without a preposition that answers a question whom? - to whom?, is a non-prepositional indirect object and always comes before a direct object (unlike a prepositional pronoun).

3 and also used in short remarks:

Who broke the vase? – Not me! / Me. Who broke the vase? - Not I! / I .

I am feeling tired. – Me too.I'm (very) tired/(feeling tired). – I Same.

Pronouns with a preposition.

Typical model: direct object + indirect object with preposition .

Combination of a pronoun in the objective case with a preposition is a prepositional indirect object and always comes after a direct object.

1 Pronoun combination with a pretextto corresponds dative case in Russian ( to whom?):

2 Pronoun combination with prepositionsby Andwith corresponds to Russian creative case( by whom? how?):

3 Pronouns in the objective case, used with any prepositions, are translated into Russian by pronouns in various indirect cases (gen. who?, what?; date to whom; to what?; creates. by whom?, by what? and prepositional About who about what?) depending on the preposition followed by the pronoun:

This letter is for you.	This letter for you.
Tell me everything about them.	Tell me everything about them.
She looked at us in silence.	She looked silently on us.

After any preposition, you should use a pronoun in the objective case, for example: From whom? From whom?-From me. From me .; To whom? To whom?-To me. Co. to me .; With whom? With whom?- With me. Co me .

The ambiguity of the pronoun it.

Pronoun it May be personal, index And impersonal:

1 Personal pronoun. Translated: he she it or his her and so on.

A) If the pronoun it comes first in a sentence, replacing what was previously mentioned inanimate noun, then it is translated nominative case - he she it , For example:

b) If the pronoun it follows the predicate, taking the place of the direct object, then it is transl. objective case pronouns, namely - his her, to him and so on.

2 Index pronoun. Translated as " This ".

What is it ? - It is a tree.

WhatThis ? - This - tree.

Can be used instead of previously mentioned words:

Instead of the previously mentioned concepts and descriptions:

3 Impersonal service word. Does not translate.

A) If the pronoun it stands first in a sentence, but does not replace a previously mentioned noun, it is formal subject of an impersonal sentence Typical for sentences that talk about weather, time, distance, various measurements, etc.

It is cold. It is dark. It is raining. It is snowing.Cold. Dark. It's raining. Snowing.

It was winter. It was winter.

Time, distances and various measurements:

What day of the week is it ? What day of the week is it today?

It 's Saturday. It 's the 12th of February. = It 's February 12th.It's Saturday. 12th of February.

It 's 10 o'clock. Ten o'clock.

It is two miles to the station.The station is two miles away.

And other impersonal suggestions:

It 's too late. Too late.

b) Pronoun it may be a formal subject in cases where the present subject is expressed infinitive, gerund (-ing form) or subordinate clause and is located at the end of the sentence: In Russian, in these cases they do without a formal subject:

It is dark to read.
It was useless trying to see him.	It was no use try* to see him.*
It 's hard to know what he is really thinking.	It's hard to know what does he really think.

V) In passive designs. With some verbs in the passive voice as the formal subject:

It is known…	Known…
It is reported that the plane landed.	They reportthat the plane has landed.

4 Included in composition of the intensifying turn it is (was)…who/that(does not translate). Here it refers to a predicate (part of a compound predicate), which becomes the informational focus of the sentence.

It was he who did it.	Exactly Hedid it.
It is here that we meet every Sunday.	Exactly Herewe meet every sunday.

Used in fixed expressions:

It 's wonderful!	Fabulous!
It 's great! It 's super!	Great! Super!
It 's no use. It 's no good.	Useless.
It doesn't matter.	Doesn't matter. It does not matter.

We come across the word it constantly from the very beginning of learning English. Even though it is small, it plays a very important role and can be used for different functions in a sentence.

Therefore, it is very important to deal with it. In this article I will talk about the 3 main functions of the word it in English.

From the article you will learn:

It as a personal pronoun
It as the word "this"
It at the beginning of an impersonal sentence

So, let's begin.

The word it as a personal pronoun

A pronoun is a word that indicates objects (I, you, he, she) and signs (my, yours, hers). We use pronouns to replace words in a sentence to avoid repetition.

Personal pronouns- these are the words with which we replace the main character.

For example:

Where is my phone?

It (instead of the phone) is on the table.

The pronoun it is translated as “it/she/he”, we replace it with:

Inanimate objects (table, book, telephone)
Animals (cat, dog, squirrel)
Abstract concepts (weather, rain)

For example:

I bought a new dress. It is beautiful.
I've bought a new dress. It's beautiful.

He gave me a book. It is interesting.
He gave me a book. She is interesting.

Using it as "this"

The word it can be used as a demonstrative word and translated as “this”.

However, in English there is also a word this, which translates as “this”.

How do you know when to use it and when to use this?

The demonstrative pronoun it (this) can be used instead of the pronoun this in the following cases:

In telephone conversations (when you introduce yourself)

Hello. It is Tom.
Hello. This is Tom.

To designate a person still unknown to the interlocutor, for example:

I hear a knock at the door. It is our new neighbor.
I hear a knock on the door. This is our new neighbor.

When it comes to the situation just described, for example:

He began to study English. He really likes it.
He started learning English. He really likes it.

It at the beginning of an impersonal sentence

Impersonal sentences- these are sentences in which there is no main character. Let's look at this with an example.

We use impersonal offers:

1. To describe weather and natural phenomena
For example: It's cold. Dark.

2. To indicate time, date, day of the week, etc.
For example: 6 hours. Monday.

3. To indicate distance
For example: Far. Close.

4. To express the speaker's opinion
For example: Fun. Difficult.

To construct such sentences, instead of the actor, we put it.

It does not indicate a person and is not translated into Russian, but in the formation of a sentence it takes on the role of the main character.

The outline of such a proposal:

It + verb to be + other parts of the sentence

The verb to be is a special type of verb. We use it when we say that someone:

Located somewhere (He's in the park)
Is someone (She's a nurse)
Is somehow (Gray cat)

Depending on the tense in which we use this verb, in combination with the pronoun it, it changes its form:

1. Present tense - It is…

2. Past tense - It was…

3. Future tense - It will be…

For example:

It is hot.
Hot.

It was dark.
It was dark.

It will be fun.
It will be fun.

So, we have looked at the use of the little word it. Now let's practice this.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. It will be difficult.
2. I want an apple. It's on the table.
3. This is his new car.
4. It's cold.
5. She bought a phone. It is expensive.

As you know, English nouns can be singular or plural. Plural of nouns in English language, as well as in Russian, is used to designate two or more objects.

Although unions may be good for a worker, singular, they are not always good for workers, plural. Especially when it comes to finding a job.

While unions may be good for workers in the singular, they are not always good for workers in the plural. This is especially true when looking for a job.

Rules for forming plurals in English Compared to Russian, they do not require memorizing a huge number of endings, alternating vowels or dropping consonants. But, like any other language, there are exceptions and peculiarities of use.

How to correctly add a plural ending, which English nouns form their plurals irregularly? This article will tell you about this and much more.

Plural Formation in English

Reference Chart: Plural Formation in English

As you know, there are many more than uncountables in the English language. Countable English nouns Countable Nouns) can be singular or plural.

Singular(eng. singular) is used to denote one thing:

a pencil(Russian pencil)

a boy(Russian boy

a house(Russian house)

Plural(eng. plural) means that there is more than one object: two, three, four, many, few, etc.:

two pencils(Russian: two pencils)

three boys(Russian: three boys)

many houses(Russian: many houses)

To correctly use a plural noun, you need to know the rules of formation, of which there are not many.

Rules for forming the plural ending -s

Nouns in English form the plural by adding the singular to the form. -s endings.

Remember:

The plural of most English nouns is formed by ending -(e)s, which is added to a singular noun.

Ending -s can be pronounced like [z] after voiced consonants and vowels or how [s] after voiceless consonants.

Examples of plural formation ending in –s

However, despite the main -s ending rule for plurals, there are slight variations in its addition, which are most often associated with easier pronunciation or a historical tradition.

Plural ending -es

Nouns ending in singular -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -tch, -x, -z (whistling or hissing sounds) form the plural using -es endings to the singular form.

In this case ending -es pronounced like [ɪz] .

Examples of plural formation ending in –es

Sometimes ending -es confused with ending -s, which is added after the silent -e with a preceding consonant -s, -c, -z, -g. Compare:

Ending -es after -y in plural, examples

If a singular noun ends in consonant + y, then in the plural the letter -y changes to –i and the ending is added -es.

If before -y is a vowel, then the plural is formed according to the general rule: the ending is added -s, A the letter -y does not change to –i.

Ending -es after -f in plural, examples

Nouns that singular ending in -f changes -f to –v and adding -es endings.

Nouns that singular ending in –fe, form the plural by changes -f to –v and adding -s endings.

However, there are several nouns that do not fall under this rule: they do not change the letter -f to –v and only add ending –s

Noun wharf(Russian pier) can have two plural forms: wharfs And wharves. Both options are correct.

Ending s or es after -o in the plural

Basic chart for forming the plural of nouns ending in –o

Most nouns ending in the singular in - o, form the plural using -es endings.

Some nouns that end in -o, add only ending –s, that is, they follow the general rule:

But there is another group of nouns, ending in -o, which can form the plural in two ways: by adding endings -s or –es. Here are some of them:

By remembering these words, you will not panic when Google Translator or the Microsoft Office word spelling editor shows errors in a word in red.

Pronunciation of the -es ending in nouns in English

So you see that most nouns form plural by adding ending -(e)s.

As you remember, this ending has several pronunciation options, depending on what letter or sound it comes after.

It is important to remember how to correctly pronounce this ending in different words so that your speech resembles the speech of native speakers.

Plurals in English table

The table below will make it easier to remember the plural of nouns:

Nouns	Plural Formation Rules	Singular	Plural
most nouns	ending –s	one bird one street one rose	two birds two streets two roses
nouns ending in sibilant -sh, -ch, -x, -s	ending –es	one dish one match one class one box	two dishes two matches two classes two boxes
nouns end in consonant + y	change -y to -i and add the ending -es one	baby one city	two babies two cities
nouns end in vowel + y	do not change -y, add ending –s	one toy one key	two toys two keys
most nouns that end in -f, -fe	change -f to -v and add the ending –es	one knife one shelf	two knives two shelves
some nouns that end in –f	do not change -f and add the ending –s	one belief one cliff one chief one roof one cuff	two beliefs two cliffs two chiefs two roofs two cuffs
most nouns that end in -o	ending –s	one zoo one radio one studio one piano one solo one soprano one photo one auto one video	two zoos two radios two studios two pianos two solos two sopranos two photos two autos two videos
some nouns that end in a consonant and the letter –o	ending –es	one tomato one potato one hero one echo	two tomatoes two potatoes two heroes two echoes
several nouns ending in –o	ending -es/-s	one zero one volcano one tornado one mosquito	two zeroes/zeros two volcanoes/volcanos two tornadoes/tornados two mosquitoes/mosquitos
some nouns	don't change	one fish one day one offspring one species	two fish two years two offspring two species
irregular nouns	change vowels or completely change the form	one child one foot one goose one tooth one man one woman one mouse one person	two children two feet two geese two teeth two men two women two mice two people
borrowing	other endings borrowed from other languages	one bacterium one cactus one crisis one phenomenon one datum	two bacteria two cacti two crises two phenomena two data

Plurals in English are exceptions

Famous English proverb “There’s a black sheep in every flock” (Russian: “one black sheep spoils the whole flock”)

Some nouns form the plural not according to the general rule - using -s endings, but by changing root vowels or adding atypical endings.

Such words are sometimes called irregular nouns. Let's take a closer look at the exceptions when forming the plural of nouns.

Exception words for plural nouns

Among the exception words you can find some small patterns.

1. Nouns change the root vowel, the pronunciation of the plural noun changes accordingly.

Usually the word "people"(Russian people) is used as the plural of the word "person" - one person- one man, three people- three persons.

Sometimes the word "people"(Russian people) are used when talking about any people, and the word "peoples"- to designate different peoples. And sometimes in official communication or on signs the word appears "persons" .

2. The plural is added ending –en instead of -s, sometimes with a change in the root vowel

3. Some nouns do not change the singular form in the plural, pronunciation too

Word fish(Russian fish) is a special word. This noun has the same singular and plural forms: one fish, five fish.

There is also a form fishes, but it has a different meaning, more than one type or gender: fish– for one type, fishes- for different types.

Plural borrowings in English

Plurals of nouns in English: all exceptions.

As you saw from the table “Formation of the plural of nouns”, many English words of foreign origin do not form the plural according to the rules.

For example, borrowings of Greek pronunciation retained the plural form of their native language:

Special cases of using plural nouns

Noun penny(Russian pence) has a plural form pence when it comes to a monetary amount. When individual coins are meant, the form is used pennies.

Nouns dozen(Russian dozen, ten) and score(Russian twenty) have the same form for the singular and plural if they come after the numerals: two dozen eggs(Russian: two dozen eggs) and two score (of) years(Russian: forty years). When these nouns are used without a numeral, they form the plural with the addition -s endings.

Nouns works(Russian plant) and means(Russian means) have the same form for the singular and plural.

Unlike the Russian language, nouns gate(Russian gate), sledge(Russian sleigh), watch(Russian wristwatch), clock(Russian wall clock) in English can be used in singular and plural.

Nouns export(Russian export) and import(Russian import) are used in the plural form when talking about the quantity and value of exported or imported goods. In the plural they add ending –s. When talking about the process of exporting or importing, the singular form is used.

It should be noted that ending –s does not always mean multiplication of objects; Often the noun formed by it takes on a new meaning: singular. Closest example: word- word, words– words (plural), but also: conversation, speech, spat, quarrel (singular).

Plurals in compound nouns

Compound or compound nouns are made up of two or more words, usually nouns. These words have special rules for forming the plural.

Rule 1

In compound nouns that written together accepts only the second word.

Rule 2

In compound nouns that written with a hyphen, the plural form is usually accepts the key meaning word.

Rule 3

If the first element man/woman, then in the plural both parts will change :

Rule 4

If in a compound noun no nouns missing, that is, it consists of verbs, particles or adjectives), then ending -s, usually, is added to the last element

Instead of a conclusion:

As you have seen, the rules for forming plurals in English are not that complicated. They can tell you more about them, and to remember them better, we recommend doing a few exercises on plurals right now.