a, an and plurals · a, an e plurais
One or many?
- For one thing, use a / an: a book, an apple.
- For many, use the plural: books, apples.
- Small words, but English uses them all the time.
One apple is a snack. Ten apples are a plan.
Uma ou várias?
- Para uma coisa, use a / an: a book, an apple.
- Para várias, use o plural: books, apples.
- Pequenas palavras, mas o inglês as usa o tempo todo.
One apple is a snack. Ten apples are a plan.
a and an
- a before a consonant sound: a car, a dog.
- an before a vowel sound: an egg, an hour (h is silent).
- Use them only with singular countable nouns.
a e an
- a antes de som consonantal: a car, a dog.
- an antes de som vogal: an egg, an hour (h é mudo).
- Use-os apenas com substantivos contáveis singulares.
a or an? · a ou an?
Use a before a consonant sound, an before a vowel sound. · Use a antes de som de consoante, an antes de som de vogal.
Choose: I eat ___ apple. · Escolha: I eat ___ apple.
“apple” begins with a vowel sound → an apple. · “apple” começa com som de vogal → an apple.
Plurals: -s, -es, -ies
- Most nouns: add -s → book → books.
- After -s, -sh, -ch, -x: add -es → bus → buses.
- Consonant + y: change y to i, add -es → baby → babies.
Plurais: -s, -es, -ies
- A maioria dos substantivos: adicione -s → book → books.
- Após -s, -sh, -ch, -x: adicione -es → bus → buses.
- Consoante + y: troque y por i, adicione -es → baby → babies.
Write the plural of “city”. · Escreva o plural de “city”.
Consonant + y → change y to i, add -es: city → cities. · Consoante + y → troque y por i, adicione -es: city → cities.
Translate into English: 我有两只猫。 · Traduza para o inglês: 我有两只猫。
Two + plural noun: “I have two cats.” (not “two cat”) · Dois + substantivo plural: “I have two cats.” (não “two cat”)
Irregular plurals (learn these!)
- man → men, woman → women, child → children.
- foot → feet, tooth → teeth, person → people.
- No -s here — you must remember them.
Plurais irregulares (aprenda estes!)
- man → men, woman → women, child → children.
- foot → feet, tooth → teeth, person → people.
- Sem -s aqui — você deve memorizá-los.
What is the plural of “child”? · Qual é o plural de “child”?
“child” is irregular: child → children. · “child” é irregular: child → children.
Common mistakes
- ❌ I have dog. → ✓ I have a dog. — a singular noun needs a / an.
- ❌ two book → ✓ two books — add -s after numbers.
- ❌ a hour → ✓ an hour — the h is silent. Listen to the sound, not the letter.
Erros comuns
- ❌ I have dog. → ✓ Eu tenho a dog. — um substantivo singular precisa de a / an.
- ❌ two book → ✓ two books — adicione -s após números.
- ❌ a hour → ✓ an hour — o h é mudo. Ouça o som, não a letra.
Match the singular to its plural. · Combine o singular com seu plural.
man → men and child → children are irregular; box → boxes (-es); city → cities (y → ies). · man → men e child → children são irregulares; box → boxes (-es); city → cities (y → ies).
Is this correct? “She is a engineer.” · Isso está correto? “She is a engineer.”
engineer starts with a vowel sound → an engineer. · engineer começa com som de vogal → an engineer.
- a / an = one (an before a vowel sound).
- Plural = usually + -s (or -es / -ies).
- Some are irregular: children, people, men, women.
- a / an = um (an antes de som vogal).
- Plural = geralmente + -s (ou -es / -ies).
- Alguns são irregulares: children, people, men, women.
What is in your bag? Write one sentence with a plural noun (for example: two books, three pens). · O que há na sua bolsa? Escreva uma frase com um substantivo plural (por exemplo: dois livros, três canetas).
Example: “I have three pens and two books.” · Exemplo: “I have three pens and two books.”