last names
To make a last name plural, add -s or -es and never an apostrophe: the Smiths, the Joneses. last names is also used.
Meaning: family names, also called surnames (noun)
What mistakes should you avoid?
To make a last name plural, add -s: the Smiths, the Millers. If the name ends in s, x, z, ch or sh, add -es: the Joneses, the Foxes, the Churches. Never use an apostrophe for the plural, and never change y to ies: the Kennedys.
Did you know?
- The spoken plural ending has three sounds: /s/ after sounds like p, t and k, /ɪz/ after hissing sounds like s and ch and /z/ everywhere else.
Examples in context
- The Smiths and the Joneses came to the party.Singular: The Smith family came to the party.
- We wrote the last names on the cards.Singular: We wrote the last name on the cards.
