Irregular plurals
Many nouns in English have a plural form either with an s/es ending or without.
– Use youths when countable. Example: Three youths were given awards for community service.
– If youth is being used collectively, do not add the ‘s’. Example: The youth of today watch less TV but spend more time on the computer.
– When youth is used as a collective noun, you may follow it with either a singular or plural verb.
– Similarly, use hairs when countable. Examples: The hairs on her chin were long.
– Her hair is long.
– The words fish and fishes are interchangeable, although some references say to use fishes when referring to two or more species. Examples: This fish is huge.
– These barracuda fish are huge.
– All the barracuda fish in the reef are enormous.
– The fishes in the reef are colourful.....
