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English Quiz - Spelling (Plurals for words ending in y) 01 (Questions)

Plurals of words ending in y follow patterns. Learn when y changes to ies and when a simple s is correct, then practise for accuracy.

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(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Story becomes stories. The library displayed five stories by 3,30 pm.

In KS3 English, you review plural rules for nouns ending in y. If a consonant + y ends the word, change y to ies such as story to stories. If a vowel + y ends the word, just add s such as key to keys. Knowing both patterns improves spelling in essays and exams.

Key Terms

Consonant: Any letter that is not a, e, i, o, or u.
Vowel: The letters a, e, i, o, and u in English.
Plural: The form that shows more than one thing, for example story to stories.

Ready to practise these rules: Play our Spelling Game

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

When do I change y to ies in the plural?

Change y to ies when a consonant comes before the y, for example city to cities and story to stories.

When do I just add s to words ending in y?

Add only s when a vowel comes before the y, for example key to keys and toy to toys.

Do proper nouns ending in y change to ies?

Proper nouns usually add s without changing the y, for example the Kellys and the Murphys, unless a style guide says otherwise.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
There are three ..... open late tonight.

[ ]	pharmacie
[ ]	pharmacies
[ ]	pharmacy
[ ]	pharmacys

2.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The torch needs new.....

[ ]	batterie
[ ]	batteries
[ ]	battery
[ ]	batterys

3.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The director takes his ..... seriously.

[ ]	responsibilitie
[ ]	responsibilities
[ ]	responsibility
[ ]	responsibilitys

4.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
We will eat ..... and cream for tea.

[ ]	strawberrie
[ ]	strawberries
[ ]	strawberry
[ ]	strawberrys

5.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The ..... trotted through the forest.

[ ]	ponie
[ ]	ponies
[ ]	pony
[ ]	ponys

6.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
Fruits such as ..... and ..... are in season in summer

[ ]	cherries, raspberries
[ ]	cherries, raspberry
[ ]	cherry, raspberries
[ ]	cherry, raspberry

7.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
Some children develop ..... to pollen.

[ ]	allergie
[ ]	allergies
[ ]	allergy
[ ]	allergys

8.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The crews experienced ..... when sailing to shore.

[ ]	difficult
[ ]	difficultie
[ ]	difficulties
[ ]	difficultys

9.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
There are four ..... parked outside the shop.

[ ]	lorrie
[ ]	lorries
[ ]	lorrys
[ ]	lorrys

10.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The footballers returned from the tour with.....

[ ]	injurie
[ ]	injuries
[ ]	injury
[ ]	injurys

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Spelling

English Quiz - Spelling (Plurals for words ending in y) 01 (Answers)

1.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
There are three ..... open late tonight.

[ ]	pharmacie
[x]	pharmacies
[ ]	pharmacy
[ ]	pharmacys

Change y to i and add -es, making "pharmacies"

2.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The torch needs new.....

[ ]	batterie
[x]	batteries
[ ]	battery
[ ]	batterys

One "battery" but two "batteries"

3.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The director takes his ..... seriously.

[ ]	responsibilitie
[x]	responsibilities
[ ]	responsibility
[ ]	responsibilitys

Words ending with -bility end with -bilities in the plural

4.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
We will eat ..... and cream for tea.

[ ]	strawberrie
[x]	strawberries
[ ]	strawberry
[ ]	strawberrys

"Berry" becomes "berries", so "blackberries" and "raspberries" are the correct plurals for other types of berry

5.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The ..... trotted through the forest.

[ ]	ponie
[x]	ponies
[ ]	pony
[ ]	ponys

If a word ends -y in its singular form, then its plural ends with -ies

6.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
Fruits such as ..... and ..... are in season in summer

[x]	cherries, raspberries
[ ]	cherries, raspberry
[ ]	cherry, raspberries
[ ]	cherry, raspberry

Remember that -y becomes -ies, not -ys

7.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
Some children develop ..... to pollen.

[ ]	allergie
[x]	allergies
[ ]	allergy
[ ]	allergys

How many plural words can you think of which end in -ys....? Any?

8.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The crews experienced ..... when sailing to shore.

[ ]	difficult
[ ]	difficultie
[x]	difficulties
[ ]	difficultys

"Difficulty" becomes "difficulties"

9.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
There are four ..... parked outside the shop.

[ ]	lorrie
[x]	lorries
[ ]	lorrys
[ ]	lorrys

One lorry, two lorries

10.

Select the correct spelling(s) of the missing plural word(s).
The footballers returned from the tour with.....

[ ]	injurie
[x]	injuries
[ ]	injury
[ ]	injurys

"Injury" becomes "injuries"