When we talk about the word “country,” we’re referring to a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory. But what happens when we want to talk about more than one country? Say, Canada and France. That’s when things might get a bit tricky for learners of English.
The correct plural form of country is countries. When you want to talk about more than one country, you always use “countries.” The word “countrys” is incorrect and should not be used. For example, if you are referring to nations like Canada, India, and Australia, you would say, “I have visited several countries.”
This rule applies because in English, nouns ending in -y preceded by a consonant change the -y to -ies to form the plural. Remember, using the right word helps you communicate clearly and effectively.
Plural Forms in English
English has a pretty straightforward way of making most nouns plural. Usually, you just add an “s” to the end of the word. For example, “apple” becomes “apples,” and “car” becomes “cars.” But, of course, English wouldn’t be English without its exceptions.
What about words ending in ‘y’?
When a word ends with a “y” the rules change a bit. If the “y” follows a consonant, you change the “y” to an “i” and add “es”. Think of “cherry,” which becomes “cherries,” or “puppy,” which turns into “puppies.”
Back to ‘Country’
So, how do we apply this rule to the word “country”? “Country” ends with a “y,” and before that “y,” we have the consonant “r”. According to the rule we just discussed, we should change the “y” to an “i” and add “es.” Therefore, the plural of “country” should be “countries.”
Examples of its use:
- She has visited several European countries.
- The United Nations is made up of 193 countries.
Where Does ‘Countrys’ Fit In?
You might have seen or heard someone use “countrys,” especially if English isn’t their first language. It’s an easy mistake to make if you’re simply adding an “s” to make a word plural, like we do with most nouns. But remember the rule we talked about? That’s right! For words ending in ‘y’ preceded by a consonant, we don’t just add ‘s’. We swap the ‘y’ for ‘ies’.
Why is it important to know the right form?
Using the right word forms not only helps in making your English sound better, but it also ensures that you are understood. If you use “countrys,” an English speaker might get confused or might think that your English skills are not very polished.
Learning Tip!
Think of the word “city.” It follows the same rule as “country.” The plural of “city” is “cities.” Just like “country” transforms into “countries,” “city” becomes “cities.” This similarity can help you remember the right form to use.
Let’s Sum It Up!
We’ve learned that the correct plural form of “country” is “countries,” not “countrys.” This comes from the general English rule that changes nouns ending in -y (preceded by a consonant) into -ies in their plural forms.
Next steps for you:
- Look around you; find other words that end in ‘y’. Try to make them plural using the rule we learned.
- Practice makes perfect. Try using “countries” in your sentences when you speak or write.