Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
PLURALS OF NOUNS, THE REGULAR PATTERNS FOR
The regular -s plural pattern actually involves the addition of one of three endings, which sound like -s, -z, or -iz, depending on the final sound in the singular. New words such as quark(s) and psion(s), many borrowed words from languages we do not know well such as kimono(s) and orangutan(s), and nonsense words such as Lewis Carroll’s borogove(s) and mome rath(s) all usually make their plurals according to these generalizations:
After final voiceless consonants except s, [], and [], add the sound [s], and spell accordingly: cat becomes cats; cup becomes cups.
After all voiced sounds except the sounds [z], [], and [], add the sound [z], but spell with an -s: dog becomes dogs; sofa becomes sofas.
After these six exceptions, add the sound [iz], and spell with a final -es: kiss becomes kisses; church becomes churches; dish becomes dishes; buzz becomes buzzes; bridge becomes bridges; and mirage becomes mirages.
Sound, not spelling, controls; the formation of regular English noun plurals is phonologically conditioned. But see also FOREIGN PLURALS; RELIC PLURALS OF NOUNS.
], and [
], add the sound [s], and spell accordingly: cat becomes cats; cup becomes cups.
], add the sound [z], but spell with an -s: dog becomes dogs; sofa becomes sofas.
