The plural form of "monkey" is monkeys.
Understanding Pluralization Rules for Words Ending in 'Y'
When forming the plural of nouns ending in 'y', the correct spelling depends on the letter that precedes the 'y'.
- If a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) comes before the 'y': Simply add an -s to the end of the word.
- For example, just as "key" becomes "keys" and "boy" becomes "boys," "monkey" follows this rule to become "monkeys."
- If a consonant comes before the 'y': Change the 'y' to -ies.
- For example, "baby" becomes "babies," and "city" becomes "cities."
Why "Monkeys" and Not "Monkies"?
A common mistake is to assume all words ending in 'y' form their plural by changing to '-ies'. However, as explained above, this rule only applies when a consonant precedes the 'y'. Since the letter before the 'y' in "monkey" is an 'e' (a vowel), the correct pluralization is by simply adding an 's'.
The accurate pluralization of "monkey" as "monkeys" is affirmed by reputable linguistic sources, including Dictionary.com.
Examples of 'Y' Plurals
To further clarify the rule, here's a table illustrating words ending in 'y' and their correct plural forms:
| Singular Noun | Letter Before 'Y' | Plural Noun | Rule Applied |
|---|---|---|---|
| monkey | e (vowel) | monkeys | Add -s |
| boy | o (vowel) | boys | Add -s |
| key | e (vowel) | keys | Add -s |
| baby | b (consonant) | babies | Change 'y' to -ies |
| city | t (consonant) | cities | Change 'y' to -ies |
| story | r (consonant) | stories | Change 'y' to -ies |
Understanding these basic English pluralization rules can help avoid common spelling errors and ensure grammatical accuracy.
