Passerby is a commonly used term in the English language that refers to a person who is passing by a particular place. It is often used in news reports, stories, and everyday conversations. However, many people are often confused about the plural form of this word. In this article, we will explore the plural form of passerby and provide examples of its usage to help you understand it better.
Plural of Passerby
Definition and Plural of Passerby
Passerby is a noun that refers to a person who is walking past a particular place, especially when they are not involved in what is happening there. A passerby is someone who is passing by, or going past, a particular location, often on foot. The term is often used to describe someone who witnesses an event or incident without being directly involved in it.
For example, if a car accident occurs on a busy street, there may be several passerby who stop to watch or offer assistance. Similarly, if a street performer is entertaining a crowd, passerby may stop to watch for a few moments before continuing on their way.
The term passerby can be used to refer to both men and women, and is often used in news reports, eyewitness accounts, and other forms of storytelling to describe people who are present at a particular location or event.
The plural of passerby is passersby, which is formed by adding an “s” to the end of the word “passerby”. This is a common way to form the plural of compound words in English. For example, the plural of mother-in-law is mothers-in-law.
It is important to note that the incorrect pluralization of passerby is passerbys, which is not considered standard English. While some contexts may allow for the use of passerbys, it is much more common and correct to use passersby.
Here is a table summarizing the definition and pluralization of passerby:
Term | Definition | Plural |
Passerby | A person passing by a location | Passersby |
Passerby and Plural of Passerby: Usage
As a writer, it is essential to use the correct spelling and pluralization of words to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing. Passerby is one such word that often confuses writers when it comes to its plural form.
The singular form of passerby is “passerby.” We use it when we want to refer to only one person. For example: A passerby witnessed the car accident and called 911 for help. In this example, there is only one person who saw the car accident, therefore, use passerby in it’s singular form.
When referring to more than one passerby, the correct plural form is “passersby.” For example: The charity organization received donations from generous passersby. In these example, there are a lot of people who donated the charity, therefore, use passerby in its plural form: “passersby”
It is also worth noting that the pluralization of passerby does not follow the standard rules of pluralization. For example, you cannot add an “s” to the end of the word to make it plural. Instead, you need to add the suffix “-s” to the end of the word “passer.”
In conclusion, it is crucial to use the correct spelling and pluralization of words in your writing to maintain clarity and professionalism. When referring to more than one passerby, use the plural form “passersby”.
Passerby and Plural of Passerby: Example Sentences
When it comes to using the word “passerby,” it’s important to know how to use it correctly in both singular and plural forms. Here are some examples of how to use “passerby” and “passersby” in sentences:
- A passerby saw the accident and offered to help.
- Passersby were asked if they were registered to vote.
- The street performer drew a crowd of passersby.
- You can often find passersby taking photos of the city’s landmarks.
- The store owner greeted the passersby with a smile.
As you can see, “passerby” is used to refer to one person who is passing by, while “passersby” is used to refer to multiple people who are passing by.
It’s important to note that the correct spelling of the plural form of “passerby” is “passersby,” not “passerbys.” While some contexts may allow for the latter, it is much more rare and should generally be avoided.
Plural Noun Rules for Regular Nouns
As you may already know, a plural noun refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. In English, most singular nouns are made plural by adding a suffix, usually -s or -es. For example, the singular noun “dog” becomes “dogs” in its plural form.
To form the plural of regular nouns, you need to follow some simple rules. Here are the most common rules for forming plural nouns:
- Add -s to the end of the noun: This rule applies to most singular nouns. For example, “book” becomes “books,” “chair” becomes “chairs,” and “computer” becomes “computers.”
- Add -es to the end of the noun: This rule applies to singular nouns that end in -s, -x, -z, -ch, or -sh. For example, “box” becomes “boxes,” “bus” becomes “buses,” “buzz” becomes “buzzes,” “church” becomes “churches,” and “dish” becomes “dishes.”
- Change the y to i and add -es: This rule applies to singular nouns that end in a consonant followed by -y. For example, “baby” becomes “babies,” “city” becomes “cities,” and “party” becomes “parties.”
- Add -s or -es to the end of compound nouns: This rule applies to compound nouns that are made up of two or more words. For example, “passerby” becomes “passersby,” “mother-in-law” becomes “mothers-in-law,” and “forget-me-not” becomes “forget-me-nots.”
- Irregular plural nouns: There are some nouns that do not follow any of the above rules and have unique plural forms. For example, “child” becomes “children,” “foot” becomes “feet,” “tooth” becomes “teeth,” and “mouse” becomes “mice.”
By following these rules, you can easily form the plural of regular nouns. However, it’s important to note that there are some exceptions and irregularities in English, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the spelling and usage of plural nouns.
Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns
When it comes to forming plurals, most English nouns follow the simple rule of adding -s or -es to the singular form. However, there are some irregular nouns that do not follow this rule. In this section, we’ll explore the different types of irregular plurals and the rules that govern them.
List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns
Here are some common irregular plural nouns that you should be familiar with:
Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
---|---|
Man | Men |
Woman | Women |
Child | Children |
Foot | Feet |
Tooth | Teeth |
Mouse | Mice |
Goose | Geese |
Person | People |
Nouns That End in Us
Nouns that end in -us often have irregular plurals that end in -i. Here are some examples:
Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
---|---|
Focus | Foci |
Cactus | Cacti |
Fungus | Fungi |
Nucleus | Nuclei |
Nouns That End in Is
Nouns that end in -is often have irregular plurals that end in -es. Here are some examples:
Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
---|---|
Analysis | Analyses |
Basis | Bases |
Crisis | Crises |
Thesis | Theses |
Nouns That End in On and Um
Nouns that end in -on or -um often have irregular plurals that end in -a. Here are some examples:
Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
---|---|
Criterion | Criteria |
Phenomenon | Phenomena |
Bacterium | Bacteria |
Curriculum | Curricula |
Plurals That Are the Same as Singulars
Some nouns have the same form for both singular and plural. Here are some examples:
Singular and Plural Noun |
---|
Deer |
Sheep |
Fish |
Series |
Words That Look Like Plural Nouns but Are Singular Nouns
Some words look like plural nouns but are actually singular. Here are some examples:
Singular Noun | Plural-Looking Noun |
---|---|
News | News |
Mathematics | Mathematics |
Physics | Physics |
Economics | Economics |
Knowing the rules for forming irregular plurals can help you communicate more effectively in English. By following these rules, you’ll be able to use the correct plural form of a noun and avoid making common mistakes.
Common Mistakes with Plural Nouns
When it comes to forming the plural of nouns, English can be a tricky language. There are many rules to follow, and plenty of exceptions to those rules. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when forming the plural of nouns:
Adding an apostrophe before the “s” to form the plural
This is a common mistake that many people make. Adding an apostrophe before the “s” is only used to indicate possession, not to form the plural. For example, “the cat’s toy” indicates that the toy belongs to the cat, while “the cats’ toys” indicates that there are multiple cats and they each have toys.
Forgetting to add “s” or “es” to the end of the word
This mistake is also common, especially when dealing with irregular nouns. For example, the plural of “child” is “children,” not “childs.” Similarly, the plural of “goose” is “geese,” not “gooses.” It’s important to learn the correct plural form of irregular nouns to avoid making this mistake.
Using the singular form of a compound noun as the plural
Compound nouns are nouns made up of two or more words. When forming the plural of a compound noun, it’s important to add the “s” or “es” to the main noun in the compound. For example, the plural of “attorney general” is “attorneys general,” not “attorney generals.”
Using the wrong plural form of a noun
Some nouns have irregular plural forms that don’t follow the standard rules of pluralization. For example, the plural of “man” is “men,” not “mans.” Similarly, the plural of “mouse” is “mice,” not “mouses.” It’s important to learn the correct plural form of irregular nouns to avoid making this mistake.
By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can avoid making errors when forming the plural of nouns. Remember to pay attention to the rules of pluralization and the irregular forms of nouns to ensure that your writing is clear and correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form for passersby?
The plural form of passerby is passersby. It is formed by adding an “s” to the end of the word “passerby” to indicate that there is more than one person passing by.
How do you use passersby?
Passersby is used to refer to people who are passing by a particular location. It is commonly used in news reports, descriptions of events, and other situations where it is necessary to refer to people who are not part of the main story. For example, “The police officer asked the passersby if they had seen anything suspicious.”
Is passerby a compound word?
Yes, passerby is a compound word. It is formed by combining the words “passer” and “by” to create a new word that refers to a person who is passing by.
How do you make the word passersby possessive?
To make the word passersby possessive, you simply add an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the word. For example, “The bags were left behind by the passersby’s dogs.”
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