2.175 singular and plural forms

You normally use the singular form of a count noun (see paragraphs 1.16 to 1.23) as a noun modifier, even when you are referring to more than one thing. For example, you refer to a shop that sells books as a 'a book shop', not 'a books shop', even though it sells a large number of books, not just one.

Many plural nouns lose their '-s' endings when used in front of other nouns.

Here is a list of common plural nouns which lose their '-s' and '-es' endings when they are used as modifiers:

However, some plural nouns keep the same form when used in front of other nouns.

Here is a list of common plural nouns which remain the same when they are used as modifiers:

Plural nouns are explained in paragraphs 1.42 to 1.47.