What is an ally and what is the plural of ally? As an English language learner, you may have come across the word ‘ally’ in your studies. An ally is a person or group that supports another person or group in a common goal. It is a common word used in everyday conversation and writing. However, when it comes to using it in the plural form, some learners may find it challenging. In this article, we will explore the plural of ally, its usage in sentences and common mistakes.
Plural of Ally
Definition and Plural of Ally
When referring to a partner or supporter, the term “ally” is used. An ally is someone who is on your side and provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity, or struggle. It can refer to a person, group, or even a country that is associated with another as a helper.
The plural form of “ally” is “allies.” This means that when you are talking about more than one ally, you use the word “allies.” For example, “The United States and its allies are working together to combat terrorism.”
Here are some examples of how to use “allies” in a sentence:
- “The allies of the environmental movement are working to reduce carbon emissions.”
- “She had many allies in her fight for equal pay.”
- “The company formed allies with other businesses to increase its market share.”
When to Use Ally and Plural of Ally
As a common noun, “ally” refers to a person or country that is united with another for a common purpose. The plural form of “ally” is “allies,” which refers to multiple people or countries united with another for a common purpose.
You can use the singular form “ally” in a sentence like “She is my closest ally in the workplace,” or “The politician gained a powerful ally in his fight for environmental reform.” In contrast, you can use the plural form “allies” in a sentence like “The two countries formed strong allies to combat the common threat.”
It is important to note that “ally” can also function as a verb, meaning to unite or form a connection between two or more parties. For example, “He allied himself with a wealthy family by marriage,” or “Two factions allying with each other.”
Here are some examples of using “ally” and “allies” in sentences:
- You have many allies in this fight for justice.
- The two countries formed strong allies to combat the common threat.
- She proved to be a reliable ally during the challenging times.
- He considered her a loyal ally in his political campaign.
- The politician gained a powerful ally in his fight for environmental reform.
Common Mistakes When Using Ally
Using the wrong plural form
One of the most common mistakes people make when using “ally” is using the wrong plural form. The correct plural form of “ally” is “allies.” Keep in mind that the word “ally” is a noun, so it needs to be pluralized accordingly.
Confusing “ally” with “allie”
Another mistake people make is confusing “ally” with “allie.” While “ally” is a noun that refers to a person or group that is united with another for a common purpose, “allie” is not a recognized word in the English language. It may be a misspelling or a variation of the word “ally.”
Using “ally” too loosely
Finally, some people use “ally” too loosely, without considering the true meaning of the word. An ally is someone who is united with another for a common purpose, so it’s important to use the word only when it truly applies. Using “ally” too loosely can dilute its meaning and make it less effective when used correctly.
Possessive Noun vs. Plural Noun of Ally
When it comes to the plural and possessive forms of the word “ally,” it is important to understand the differences between them. A plural noun refers to more than one ally, while a possessive noun shows ownership or possession of something by an ally or allies.
To form the plural of “ally,” simply add an “-ies” to the end of the word. For example, “two allies” becomes “two allies.” On the other hand, to form the possessive of “ally,” add an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the word. For example, “the ally’s strategy” or “the allies’ strategy.”
It is essential to note that the plural form of “ally” is not the same as the possessive form. The plural form refers to more than one ally, while the possessive form shows ownership or possession by an ally or allies.
Here’s a quick summary of the differences between plural and possessive nouns of “ally”:
| Plural Noun | Possessive Noun |
|---|---|
| Refers to more than one ally | Shows ownership or possession by an ally or allies |
| Formed by adding “-ies” to the end of the word | Formed by adding an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the word |
| Example: “two allies” | Example: “the ally’s strategy” or “the allies’ strategy” |
Plural Noun Rules for Regular Nouns
Add -s to the End of the Noun
The simplest rule for forming the plural of regular nouns is to add an -s to the end of the noun. For example, if you want to make the word “ally” plural, you would simply add an -s to the end of the word, resulting in “allies.”
Here are some other examples:
- Book → books
- Chair → chairs
- Dog → dogs
Add -es to Nouns Ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z
When a singular noun ends in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, you need to add -es to the end of the word to make it plural. This is because adding only an -s would make the word difficult to pronounce.
Here are some examples:
- Bus → buses
- Dish → dishes
- Church → churches
- Box → boxes
- Buzz → buzzes
Change the Y to I and Add -es
When a singular noun ends in a consonant + y, you need to change the y to i and add -es to make it plural. This is because adding only an -s would result in two vowels together, which can be difficult to pronounce.
Here are some examples:
- Baby → babies
- City → cities
- Lady → ladies
Rule 5: Add -s to Nouns Ending in -f or -fe
When a singular noun ends in -f or -fe, you need to change the f or fe to v and add -es to make it plural.
Here are some examples:
- Calf → calves
- Knife → knives
- Leaf → leaves
Rules for Forming Irregular Plural Nouns
When it comes to creating the plural form of irregular nouns, it can be challenging to know where to start. Irregular nouns are those that do not follow the typical rules of adding -s or -es to make them plural. Instead, they have their own unique set of rules that you must follow. In this section, we will discuss these rules and provide you with a list of common irregular plural nouns.
List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns
Here is a list of some of the most common irregular plural nouns in the English language:
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|
| Child | Children |
| Foot | Feet |
| Tooth | Teeth |
| Woman | Women |
| Man | Men |
| Person | People |
| Goose | Geese |
| Mouse | Mice |
| Fish | Fish (when referring to multiple species) or Fishes (when referring to multiple individuals of the same species) |
As you can see, these nouns do not follow a consistent pattern, which can make them difficult to remember. However, there are some general rules that you can follow to help you create the plural form of these irregular nouns.
First, some irregular nouns simply add -en to the end of the singular form to create the plural. For example, ox becomes oxen, and child becomes children.
Second, some irregular nouns change the spelling of the singular form to create the plural. For example, foot becomes feet, and mouse becomes mice.
Third, some irregular nouns have the same spelling for both the singular and plural forms. For example, fish can refer to multiple species or multiple individuals of the same species.
These are only some of the rules in the diverse world of irregular plural nouns out there. You need to practice to truly master the art of using plural nouns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form of ally?
The plural form of ally is allies. When you want to refer to more than one ally, you simply add an “s” to the end of the word. For example, “I have many allies who support me.”
What does the term ‘ally’ mean?
An ally is a person, organization, or country that cooperates, supports, or aligns with another entity in pursuit of a common goal or interest. For example, two countries can be allies in a war, or two people can be allies in a political campaign.
What is the meaning of ‘straight ally’?
A straight ally is a heterosexual person who supports and advocates for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. They are not part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves, but they work to promote equality and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals.
How do you spell the plural form of ‘ally’?
The plural form of ally is spelled “allies.” It is important to remember the double “l” in the middle of the word.
What is the difference between ‘allies’ and ‘alleys’?
Allies and alleys are two completely different words with different meanings. Allies refers to people or entities that work together for a common goal or interest. Alleys, on the other hand, are narrow streets or passages between buildings. It is important to understand the difference between these two words to avoid confusion in your writing.
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