📚 French Basic Grammar: The Plural of French Nouns in -s and -x
In French, forming the plural of nouns is usually simple: you add an -s to the singular form.
But some nouns already end in -s or -x in the singular.
How do we make them plural? Let’s find out!
1. General Rule of the Plural in French
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Most French nouns form the plural by adding -s.
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un livre → des livres (a book → books)
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une maison → des maisons (a house → houses)
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👉 But what about nouns that already end in -s or -x?
2. Nouns Ending in -s
If a noun already ends in -s in the singular, the form does not change in the plural.
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un cours → des cours (a class → classes)
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un bus → des bus (a bus → buses)
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un choix → des choix (a choice → choices)
👉 The only difference is the article (un → des).
3. Nouns Ending in -x
Just like nouns ending in -s, nouns ending in -x also stay the same in the plural.
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un prix → des prix (a price → prices)
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un choix → des choix (a choice → choices)
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un nez → des nez (a nose → noses)
4. Important Examples
| Singular | Plural | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| un cours | des cours | a class → classes |
| un bus | des bus | a bus → buses |
| un prix | des prix | a price → prices |
| un choix | des choix | a choice → choices |
| un nez | des nez | a nose → noses |
5. Tips to Remember
✔️ For nouns ending in -s or -x, the plural form does not change.
✔️ The article (un/une → des) shows whether the noun is singular or plural.
✔️ Context often helps: un bus / des bus (same spelling, different number).
6. Examples in Sentences
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J’ai suivi un cours de français. → I took a French class.
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J’ai suivi des cours de français. → I took French classes.
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Ce prix est très élevé. → This price is very high.
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Ces prix sont raisonnables. → These prices are reasonable.
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J’ai fait un choix important. → I made an important choice.
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Ils ont fait des choix différents. → They made different choices.
✅ Quick Recap
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Most French nouns → add -s for plural.
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Nouns ending in -s → no change in plural (un bus → des bus).
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Nouns ending in -x → no change in plural (un prix → des prix).
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The article (un/une → des) shows plural.
🎯 Practice Exercise
Translate into French:
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A bus / some buses
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A price / some prices
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A choice / some choices
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A class / some classes
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A nose / some noses
Conclusion
Learning the plural of French nouns ending in -s and -x is easy: they stay the same in singular and plural! The main difference comes from the article (un/une → des). This simple rule helps you read and write more confidently in French.
👉 Pro tip: When you see a noun ending in -s or -x, check the article to know if it’s singular or plural.
TAGS:
- French noun plurals
- Plural of French nouns ending in s and x
- French grammar basics plural
- Rules for plural nouns in French
- French nouns examples singular and plural