How to spell the plurals of words ending in o. Some just add s, some add es and some give you the choice. Here are some ways to learn and remember.

1. Plurals of words ending in ‘o’ -os, -oes or either? By Johanna Stirling The Spelling Blog http://thespellingblog.blogspot.com

2. Ever wondered... ...when words ending in o add just s and when they add es?

3. Nouns that end in o can make their plural by adding s or es and many of them can be either. The patterns are not very clear but:

4. -s These words just add s: radios, patios, zoos, kangaroosWhat do they have in common?(Hint: look at the letter before the o)

5. -s Words ending in VOWEL + o, just add s: radios, patios, zoos, kangaroos

6. -s These words just add s too kilos, photos, logos, typosWhat do they have in common?(Hint: related to the length of the word)

7. -s We just add stoshort forms of longer words:kilosphotos logos typos

8. -s We just add s to these words:Eskimos Picassos FilipinosWhat do they have in common?Hint: what does the first letter tell you?

9. -s We usually just add s toproper nouns:EskimosPicassos Filipinos

10. We just add -sto these wordsfrom solos sombreros What do these words have in common? Hint: Think about the origin of the words.

11. We usually just add -sto loan words* fromfrom solos sombreros *Loan words are words that have come from another language with no change of spelling

12. -s We just add stokimonos avocados casinos infernos torsosAny idea why?(Hint: Think about when they entered the English language.)

13. -s We usually just add stowords that are newer to English:kimonos avocados casinos infernos torsos

14. -es These words add es:potatoes tomatoesechoes embargoes heroes vetoesAny idea why?(Hint: Compare them with the words on the previous slide.)

15. -es Words that entered English long ago* usually add es:potatoes tomatoesechoes embargoes heroes vetoes *and in which the spelling may have been Anglicised

16. -sor -es Many words have two alternative spellings – you choose* - add s or es ... *but try to be consistent!

17. -sor -es Most common spelling shown first

18. So in fact... the only common words that must have es are: potatoes tomatoesechoes heroes vetoes embargoes torpedoes That means ...

19. ... you could just learn these potatoes tomatoesechoes heroes vetoes embargoes torpedoes and write all the others with s

20. Hope that helps!For more useful information like this,please visit ...