(s) VS (ies)

Members help members on grammar, vocab, pronunciation...

Moderator: EC

Post Reply
Minis
Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:07 pm
Status: Learner of English

(s) VS (ies)

Post by Minis »

Hi,

I'm having a difficulty to decide whether to use (s) or (ies) when combining singular and plural forms in one word, for the word ending in "y".

E.g. faculty(s) or faculty(ies) ?

I saw both variations are used. I'm not sure which one is correct. :roll:

Thank you in advance!
User avatar
Joe
Admin/Teacher
Admin/Teacher
Posts: 1789
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:56 am
Status: Teacher of English
Location: England

Re: (s) VS (ies)

Post by Joe »

To make plurals with nouns ending in y:

If a noun ends in y: add s

There is a TV play on tonight.
There are three TV plays on tonight.

Exception

If a noun ends in consonant + y: change y to ies

There is one baby in the room.
There are three babies in the room.

See: spelling rules - adding -s
Minis
Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:07 pm
Status: Learner of English

Re: (s) VS (ies)

Post by Minis »

Thank you for your reply Josef.
I guess I didn't explain my question correctly. It's not about spelling rules for the plurals ending with y, but specifically about the form of writing the 's' ending in parentheses. I'm writing a document for users of the software, and I need to say: "If you need to select facility(s)" - meaning that they can choose one or several. Now the question is, do I put 's' in parentheses or (ies).

Thank you
User avatar
sweethuman
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
Posts: 559
Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 7:18 am
Status: Other

Re: (s) VS (ies)

Post by sweethuman »

Mr Josef explained it correctly however you couldn't catch it.
Now your question is with faculty so mentioned above as well that the word faculty ends with Consonant + Y so it takes IES. it should be Faculties not facultys. With the second word Facility it should also be Facilities not facilits because it the word ends with Consonant + Y. Hope it is understood clearly now.
Post Reply