Singular and Plural Noun Suffixes - Matching Activity | -s, -es, -ies endings

Help your students master the difference between singular and plural nouns with this hands-on matching activity. Students match colorful picture cards to singular and plural noun word cards, focusing on plural endings -s, -es, and -ies.

This low-prep literacy center is perfect for ESL, ELL, and EFL learners as well as early elementary students who need extra practice forming and recognizing plural nouns. Once students are familiar with the vocabulary, you can turn the cards face down and use them as a memory game to increase the challenge and build retention.

Use this resource in small groups, literacy centers, intervention groups, or as an independent grammar activity to reinforce plural noun spelling and word recognition.

What’s Included

• 54 singular and plural noun cards featuring -s, -es, and -ies endings
• 9 singular and 9 plural noun cards for each of the three suffix endings (-s, -es, -ies)
• Color and “less ink” printing options for flexible use
• Student recording sheet for extra writing and spelling practice

Skills Students Will Practice

• Identifying singular vs. plural nouns
• Recognizing and using plural endings -s, -es, -ies
• Matching pictures to written words (vocabulary and reading skills)
• Spelling plural forms of common nouns
• Speaking and reading aloud as they say each word or sentence

How to Use This Resource

Basic Matching Game

1. Print, cut, and (optionally) laminate the cards for durability.
2. Separate the singular and plural noun cards.
3. Have students match each singular noun to its correct plural form.
4. Use the recording sheet so students can write the words and highlight the endings.

Memory Game Extension

1. Place all cards face down in a grid.
2. Students take turns turning over two cards at a time.
3. If they find a matching singular–plural pair, they keep the cards and score a point.
4. Continue until all matches are found.

Additional Classroom Ideas

• Use cards as a warm-up for grammar lessons on plural nouns.
• Ask students to say or write a sentence using each noun in both singular and plural form.
• Sort cards by ending type (-s, -es, -ies) to reinforce spelling patterns.
• Use as a quick-check activity in small groups or with fast finishers.

Perfect For

• ESL, ELL, and EFL classrooms (young learners)
• Primary grades practicing grammar and word study
• Literacy centers and small group instruction
• Early finisher activities and independent practice
• Intervention groups needing targeted plural noun practice

Perfect for Teachers Searching For:

• Singular and plural nouns activities for ESL students
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• Plural noun practice cards for kindergarten and first grade
• Picture-to-word matching cards for early literacy
• Low-prep grammar games for English learners
• Plural noun word work for small groups
• ESL vocabulary matching activities for young learners

Also Available on Teachers Pay Teachers

Prefer shopping on TpT? Find this resource here: Singular and Plural Nouns Matching Activity

Pair It With

For even more grammar practice, pair this activity with the Grammar Conversation Card Games Bundle for ESL Speaking to reinforce verb tenses, questions, and sentence structure alongside plural noun work.