规 则

例 词

1

改变名词中的元音字母或其他形式

man-men, woman-women, foot-feet, goose-geese, mouse-mice

2

单复数相同

sheep, deer, series, means, works, fish, species

3

只有复数形式

ashes, trousers, clothes, thanks, goods, glasses, compasses, contents

4

一些集体名词总是用作复数

people, police, cattle, staff

5

部分集体名词既可以作单数（整体）也可以作复数（成员）

audience, class, family, crowd, couple, group, committee, government, population, crew, team, public, enemy, party

6

复数形式表示特别含义

customs(海关), forces(军队), times(时代), spirits(情绪), drinks(饮料), sands(沙滩), papers(文件报纸), manners(礼貌), looks(外表), brains(头脑智力), greens(青菜), ruins(废墟)

7

表示“某国人”

加-s

Americans, Australians, Germans, Greeks, Swedes, Europeans

单复数同形

Swiss, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese

以-man或-woman结尾的改为-men,-women

Englishmen, Frenchwomen

8

合成名词

将主体名词变为复数

sons-in-law, lookers-on, passers-by, story-tellers, boy friends

无主体名词时将最后一部分变为复数

grown-ups, housewives, stopwatches

将两部分变为复数

women singers, men servants