Which of the following is the correct pair of singular and plural forms?

Appeared in: GMCH - 2015

Explanation

The pair 'Lady' and 'ladies' correctly demonstrates a standard pluralization rule in English.
For nouns ending in a consonant followed by the letter 'y', the plural is formed by changing the 'y' to an 'i' and adding 'es'.
This rule is consistently applied to similar words, such as 'city' becoming 'cities' and 'baby' becoming 'babies'.

Option B: The form 'Ox's' is the singular possessive, used to show ownership (e.g., 'the ox's yoke'). It is not the plural form.
Option C: 'Mouses' is not the standard plural of 'mouse'. While children learning grammar might make this error by over-applying the '-s' rule, it is incorrect. (SRC_9275)
Option D: The form 'Wolf's' is the singular possessive, indicating something belongs to the wolf (e.g., 'the wolf's den'). It is not the plural form.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Singular and Plural Noun Forms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate use of singular and plural forms is fundamental for clear and professional communication in all settings, including healthcare.
Correct grammar in nursing documentation, patient communication, and academic writing prevents ambiguity and ensures information is understood as intended.
What if? - If a nurse wrote 'the patient reported pain in both foots' instead of 'feet,' it would be grammatically incorrect and could reflect poorly on their professionalism, even if the meaning is understood.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core task: find the one pair that correctly shows a singular noun and its plural form.
Examine each option one by one, applying English grammar rules for forming plurals.
For 'Lady', recall the rule for nouns ending in a consonant + 'y'. The plural is 'ladies', so this pair is correct.
For 'Ox' and 'Wolf', recognize that an apostrophe 's' ('s) typically indicates possession, not plurality. The plurals are 'oxen' and 'wolves'.
For 'Mouse', recall common irregular plurals. The plural of 'mouse' is 'mice', not 'mouses'.
By eliminating the three incorrect pairs, confirm that 'Lady and ladies' is the only correct option.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 2 p. 38-40

Practise the full GMCH - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.