KS3 Spelling | Learn Plurals of Words Ending with Y

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

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To spell plurals of words ending in y: change y to i and add -es. If you learn this, you should be confident when asked what the plural is of any word ending in y.

If you completed the Spelling (Plurals for Words Ending in O) quiz, then you already know that the great majority of plurals in the English language end either in -s or -es. Like words ending in o, words ending in y also add an -es in the plural. But there is one crucial point to remember, which is that the y must be changed to an i first.

So, you might eat one french fry, but many french fries. You could be looking after one baby, or many babies. A rugby player might score one try or many tries.

This simple rule, change the y to an i before adding an -es, does have some exceptions. For example "boy", "toy" and "donkey" become "boys", "toys" and "donkeys". So watch out for any similar exceptions!

Try this quiz to improve your spelling knowledge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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"

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"

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

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

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

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

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?

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"

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"