patches
The plural of "patch" is patches.
Nouns that end in s, x, z, ch or sh add -es to make the plural, so patch becomes patches.
Meaning: a small piece of material used to cover a hole (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use a plural verb with patches: the patches are. The possessive plural adds only an apostrophe: patches'.
How do you pronounce it?
patch is pronounced /pæt͡ʃ/. The plural ending sounds like /ɪz/, so the plural has one more syllable than the singular.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use an apostrophe to make a plural. patches means more than one, while an apostrophe shows that something belongs to someone.
Did you know?
- The -es ending comes from the Old English plural ending -as, which became the standard plural in Middle English.
Examples in context
- My jeans have two patches on the knees.Singular: My jeans have a patch on the knees.
- There are icy patches on the road.Singular: There are an icy patch on the road.
