Plural Form of “City”: Complete Grammar Guide with Rules, Examples, and Exercises

by

The English language is filled with fascinating rules and a few notable exceptions—especially when it comes to forming plural nouns. One word that often confuses learners is “city”. What is the correct plural form? How do you spell and pronounce it? Why isn’t it just citys? Understanding the pluralization of “city” is essential for accurate writing and speaking, whether you’re discussing global geography, demographics, or your favorite travel destinations.

This guide will help you master the plural form of “city”—cities—with a thorough exploration of the rules, patterns, and exceptions that govern this and similar nouns. We’ll break down the relevant grammar, provide dozens of real examples, and give you plenty of practice exercises to reinforce your understanding. Along the way, you’ll also learn about other nouns that follow the same pattern, common pitfalls, and the subtle differences in usage.

This article is designed for English learners (ESL/EFL), teachers, proofreaders, writers, and anyone who wants to master English pluralization rules. Whether you’re just beginning your studies or refining your skills for advanced communication, this comprehensive guide will provide the clarity and confidence you need.

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What Is a Plural Noun?

A plural noun refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. In English grammar, plural nouns are essential for expressing quantity, comparison, and collective meaning. Most plural nouns are formed by adding -s or -es to the end of the singular noun. Plurals are used in sentences to indicate more than one object, location, or concept.

3.2. What Is the Plural Form of “City”?

The correct plural form of “city” is “cities”. This spelling follows a specific rule for words ending in -y after a consonant.

IPA Pronunciation:

  • city: /ˈsɪti/
  • cities: /ˈsɪtiz/

The plural form “cities” is considered irregular because it does not simply add an -s; instead, the -y changes to -ies. This irregularity is a standard pattern for many English nouns ending in a consonant + -y.

3.3. Grammatical Classification

“City” is a countable noun—it refers to individual, countable places. It is also a concrete noun because it names a physical location. Countable nouns have both singular and plural forms, and their pluralization follows particular spelling rules depending on their endings.

3.4. Usage Contexts

The noun “city” appears in a variety of contexts:

  • Geography: “Paris is a famous city.” / “There are many cities in France.”
  • Demographics: “The city’s population is growing.” / “Many cities face housing shortages.”
  • Travel: “This city is my favorite destination.” / “European cities are beautiful.”

Singular (“city”) is used when referring to one urban area. Plural (“cities”) is used for two or more. See the table below for more examples.

Singular (city) Plural (cities)
This city is famous for its history. These cities are famous for their history.
The city has a large park. The cities have large parks.
My city is near the coast. Many cities are near the coast.

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. General Pluralization Patterns in English

Most English nouns form their plural by simply adding -s or -es:

  • cat → cats
  • bus → buses

However, irregular plurals change spelling or undergo vowel changes:

  • child → children
  • man → men

“City” forms its plural as cities, which involves changing the ending, not just adding -s.

4.2. The Rule for Words Ending in -y

Nouns ending in -y follow two main rules for pluralization:

  1. If the -y is preceded by a consonant, change -y to -ies.
    city → cities, baby → babies
  2. If the -y is preceded by a vowel, simply add -s.
    boy → boys, day → days
Singular Plural Rule
city cities Consonant + -y → -ies
baby babies Consonant + -y → -ies
lady ladies Consonant + -y → -ies
boy boys Vowel + -y → -ys
toy toys Vowel + -y → -ys

4.3. Step-by-Step: Pluralizing “City”

Let’s break down the process:

  1. Identify the ending: The word ends with -y (city).
  2. Check the letter before -y: The preceding letter is t (a consonant).
  3. Apply the rule: For consonant + -y, change -y to -ies.
  4. Pronunciation change: “city” is /ˈsɪti/; “cities” is /ˈsɪtiz/ (the final /z/ sound).
Step Singular Process Plural
1 city Ends with -y –
2 city Letter before -y is a consonant (t) –
3 city Change -y to -ies cities
4 city /ˈsɪti/ Pronunciation changes cities /ˈsɪtiz/

4.4. Morphological Analysis

Let’s examine the structure:

  • Root: cit- (refers to the concept of a town or municipality)
  • Singular Suffix: -y
  • Plural Suffix: -ies (combines -y with -es, dropping the -y)

In the plural, -y is replaced with -ies to maintain correct spelling and pronunciation.

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Regular vs. Irregular Plural Nouns

Regular plurals are formed by adding -s or -es (e.g., cats, buses). Irregular plurals involve spelling changes, vowel changes, or entirely different words (e.g., children, mice, feet). “City” is semi-irregular, following the common -y → -ies rule.

5.2. Nouns Ending in -y

5.2.1. -y Preceded by a Consonant

If the last letter is -y and the letter before it is a consonant, change -y to -ies:

  • city → cities
  • lady → ladies
  • puppy → puppies
  • family → families

5.2.2. -y Preceded by a Vowel

If the -y is preceded by a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), simply add -s:

  • boy → boys
  • day → days
  • toy → toys
  • key → keys
-y Noun Pattern Plural Form Rule
city Consonant + y cities -y → -ies
puppy Consonant + y puppies -y → -ies
baby Consonant + y babies -y → -ies
boy Vowel + y boys +s
toy Vowel + y toys +s
key Vowel + y keys +s

5.3. Compound Nouns and “City”

When “city” is part of a compound noun, the plural is formed by pluralizing the main noun:

  • city-state → city-states
  • city council → city councils
  • city guide → city guides

See the table below for more:

Compound Noun (Singular) Compound Noun (Plural)
city-state city-states
city council city councils
city map city maps
city manager city managers

6. Examples Section

6.1. Basic Examples

Here are 12 simple sentences using “cities” as the plural of “city”:

  • There are many cities in Europe.
  • Several cities are located near rivers.
  • Big cities have many attractions.
  • Some cities never sleep.
  • New cities are being built every year.
  • Asian cities are known for their technology.
  • Many cities host international festivals.
  • Old cities often have beautiful architecture.
  • Tourists visit different cities each summer.
  • Some cities are famous for their food.
  • Large cities can be very crowded.
  • Smaller cities may offer a quieter lifestyle.

6.2. Intermediate Examples

Sentences using adjectives, quantifiers, and modifiers:

  • Historic cities attract millions of visitors annually.
  • These bustling cities never seem to rest.
  • Developing cities are rapidly expanding their infrastructure.
  • Many modern cities have efficient public transport systems.
  • Friendly cities welcome tourists warmly.
  • Major cities often face traffic congestion.
  • Coastal cities benefit from tourism and trade.
  • Famous cities like Rome and Paris are rich in culture.
  • Some European cities are known for their medieval centers.
  • Several northern cities experience harsh winters.
  • Most capital cities are political and economic hubs.

6.3. Advanced Examples

Complex sentences using “cities” with clauses and prepositions:

  • The cities that were rebuilt after the war are thriving today.
  • Cities where technology companies have flourished are growing rapidly.
  • Many cities, despite their differences, share common challenges.
  • Cities with efficient recycling systems help reduce waste.
  • Those cities which invest in green spaces see better public health outcomes.
  • Cities located in earthquake zones must follow strict building codes.
  • In cities where public transport is plentiful, people drive less.
  • The cities we visited last year were unforgettable.
  • Cities that are home to universities attract students from around the world.
  • The cities included in the survey ranked highly for quality of life.

6.4. Contextual Usage

Examples in various contexts:

  • Geography: “Asian cities are among the world’s largest.”
  • Politics: “Many cities have elected new mayors this year.”
  • Travel: “She plans to visit five cities during her trip.”
  • Literature: “The novel describes cities lost to time.”
  • Statistics: “The report compares air quality in major cities.”

6.5. Comparative Examples

Let’s compare sentences using singular vs. plural:

Singular Plural
This city is beautiful. These cities are beautiful.
The city attracts tourists. The cities attract tourists.
My favorite city is Tokyo. My favorite cities are Tokyo and Paris.
Each city has a unique charm. All cities have unique charms.

6.6. Pluralization of Similar Nouns

Other nouns with the same pattern:

  • baby → babies
  • puppy → puppies
  • lady → ladies
  • family → families
  • party → parties
  • story → stories
  • country → countries
  • library → libraries
  • activity → activities
  • enemy → enemies
Singular Plural
city cities
baby babies
puppy puppies
lady ladies
family families
party parties
story stories
country countries
library libraries
activity activities
enemy enemies

6.7. Pronunciation Examples

IPA Pronunciation:

  • city: /ˈsɪti/
  • cities: /ˈsɪtiz/
  • baby: /ˈbeɪbi/ → babies: /ˈbeɪbiz/
  • puppy: /ˈpʌpi/ → puppies: /ˈpʌpiz/
  • boy: /bɔɪ/ → boys: /bɔɪz/
Singular Plural IPA (Singular) IPA (Plural)
city cities /ˈsɪti/ /ˈsɪtiz/
baby babies /ˈbeɪbi/ /ˈbeɪbiz/
puppy puppies /ˈpʌpi/ /ˈpʌpiz/
boy boys /bɔɪ/ /bɔɪz/

7. Usage Rules

7.1. The General Rule for -y Ending Nouns

Rule:

  • If a noun ends in a consonant + y, change -y to -ies: city → cities
  • If a noun ends in a vowel + y, just add -s: boy → boys
Singular Plural Rule
city cities -y → -ies
baby babies -y → -ies
boy boys +s
day days +s

7.2. Capitalization and Pluralization

When “City” is part of a proper noun (e.g., Kansas City), the plural is formed by adding -ies only if the name itself is pluralized (e.g., Kansas Cities, referring to both Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri). Usually, proper nouns are not pluralized unless referring to multiple places or entities with the same name.
Examples:

  • We visited both Kansas Cities last summer.
  • I love New York City. (not pluralized)

7.3. Collective and Non-count Contexts

“Cities” can refer to a group or collection of urban areas: “The cities of Europe.” However, it is not used in non-countable contexts (e.g., you cannot say “much cities”; use “many cities”).
Incorrect: “There is much cities in the country.”
Correct: “There are many cities in the country.”

7.4. Pluralization in Titles and Institutions

“Cities” is used in the titles of books, reports, and acts when referring to more than one city:

  • “Cities of the World”
  • “The Cities Act”
  • “Smart Cities Conference”

Use “City” for singular reference: “City of Angels”.

7.5. Pluralization with Numbers and Quantifiers

Use “cities” after numbers greater than one and with quantifiers that indicate more than one.

Quantifier/Number Correct Example
two two cities
many many cities
several several cities
a few a few cities
all all cities
various various cities

7.6. Exceptions and Special Cases

There are no major exceptions to the “city” pluralization rule in standard English. In rare dialects or regional varieties, you might encounter non-standard forms, but “cities” is universally correct.

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Spelling Errors

Common mistakes include:

  • citys (incorrect; should be cities)
  • cites (incorrect; “cites” is a different word, meaning “quotes” or “references”)
Incorrect Correct
citys cities
cites cities

8.2. Misapplication of Pluralization Rule

Applying the -ies rule to words that end in vowel + y is incorrect:

  • boyes (incorrect) → boys (correct)
  • dayes (incorrect) → days (correct)

8.3. Singular/Plural Confusion in Sentences

Using “city” with plural verbs/quantifiers is incorrect. See table:

Incorrect Corrected
Many city are large. Many cities are large.
Two city were chosen. Two cities were chosen.
Several city have airports. Several cities have airports.

8.4. Pronunciation Mistakes

Some learners may mispronounce “cities” as /ˈsɪtiːs/ (incorrect). The correct pronunciation is /ˈsɪtiz/.

8.5. Capitalization Errors

“Cities” should be lowercase unless starting a sentence or used in a title. Do not capitalize unless it’s part of a proper noun or title.

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises

Fill in each blank with either “city” or “cities.”

  1. There are many _______ in Asia.
  2. This _______ is the capital of France.
  3. Large _______ often have subways.
  4. Each _______ has a unique culture.
  5. These _______ are very old.
  6. She visited three _______ last summer.
  7. My favorite _______ is New York.
  8. Some _______ are located by the sea.
  9. The _______ center is very busy.
  10. All major _______ have airports.

Answer Key:

  1. cities
  2. city
  3. cities
  4. city
  5. cities
  6. cities
  7. city
  8. cities
  9. city
  10. cities

9.2. Pluralization Correction

Correct the pluralization in each sentence:

  1. There are many citys in India.
  2. She likes to visit new citys.
  3. These citys are famous for food.
  4. Several city has beautiful parks.
  5. Big citys can be expensive.
  6. I saw three citys on my trip.
  7. Many city have rivers.
  8. Old citys have narrow streets.
  9. Modern citys are clean.
  10. Some city are very large.

Answer Key:

  1. There are many cities in India.
  2. She likes to visit new cities.
  3. These cities are famous for food.
  4. Several cities have beautiful parks.
  5. Big cities can be expensive.
  6. I saw three cities on my trip.
  7. Many cities have rivers.
  8. Old cities have narrow streets.
  9. Modern cities are clean.
  10. Some cities are very large.

9.3. Identification Exercises

Underline the plural noun(s) in each sentence:

  1. Several cities are located on the coast.
  2. The babies are sleeping.
  3. Many boys play soccer in the park.
  4. Our families visited the museum.
  5. New cities are developing rapidly.
  6. The puppies barked loudly.
  7. Some ladies wore red dresses.
  8. The stories are interesting.
  9. All countries have unique traditions.
  10. The parties lasted all night.

Answer Key:

  1. cities
  2. babies
  3. boys
  4. families
  5. cities
  6. puppies
  7. ladies
  8. stories
  9. countries
  10. parties

9.4. Sentence Construction

Write your own sentence using “cities” for each prompt:

  1. Describe two places you want to visit.
  2. Talk about cities near water.
  3. Mention cities known for technology.
  4. Discuss cities with a lot of history.
  5. Say something about cities and transportation.

Model Answers:

  1. I want to visit the cities of Paris and Rome.
  2. Many cities are built beside lakes or rivers.
  3. Japanese cities are famous for advanced technology.
  4. European cities often have a rich history.
  5. Cities usually have public transportation systems.

9.5. Multiple Choice Questions

Select the correct answer:

  1. What is the plural of “city”?
    a) citys
    b) cities
    c) cites
  2. Choose the correct sentence:
    a) Many city are large.
    b) Many cities are large.
    c) Many citys are large.
  3. Which noun follows the same plural rule as “city”?
    a) boy
    b) baby
    c) key
  4. How do you pronounce “cities”?
    a) /ˈsɪtiz/
    b) /ˈsɪtiːs/
    c) /ˈsɪtɪz/
  5. Which word is correct?
    a) partys
    b) parties
    c) partyes

Answer Key:

  1. b) cities
  2. b) Many cities are large.
  3. b) baby
  4. a) /ˈsɪtiz/
  5. b) parties

9.6. Table Exercise

Fill in the plural forms for the following nouns ending in -y:

Singular Plural
city ________
baby ________
lady ________
boy ________
day ________
family ________
puppy ________
key ________
party ________
story ________

Answer Key:

Singular Plural
city cities
baby babies
lady ladies
boy boys
day days
family families
puppy puppies
key keys
party parties
story stories

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. Pluralization in Other Contexts

When “city” is part of a compound noun, pluralize the main noun:

Compound Singular Compound Plural
city-state city-states
city guide city guides
twin city twin cities
city council city councils
city manager city managers

10.2. Historical and Etymological Notes

The word “city” comes from the Old French cite, from Latin civitas (“citizenship, community of citizens”). The -y → -ies pluralization pattern developed as English spelling regularized. The pattern helps maintain pronunciation and clarity in writing.

10.3. Pluralization Across English Varieties

There is no difference in pluralization of “city” between American and British English. Occasionally, local dialects or English-based creoles may use non-standard forms, but “cities” is standard everywhere.

10.4. Pluralization in Names and Titles

Some official names use the plural, such as Kansas Cities (collective reference to Kansas City, KS and MO) or “Twin Cities” (Minneapolis–Saint Paul). These are exceptions where pluralization is part of the proper noun.

10.5. Contrast with Foreign Borrowings

In English, foreign city names are pluralized using the English pattern:

Foreign City Name Plural in English
Mexico City Mexico Cities
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiros
Dubai Dubais

However, most foreign city names are not typically pluralized unless discussing multiple places with similar names.

11. FAQ Section

  1. What is the correct plural form of “city”?
    The correct plural is cities.
  2. Why does “city” become “cities” in the plural?
    Because “city” ends with a consonant + y, so the -y changes to -ies for proper spelling and pronunciation.
  3. Is “citys” ever correct?
    No, citys is always incorrect in standard English.
  4. How do I know when to use “city” or “cities” in a sentence?
    Use “city” for one place; “cities” for two or more. Look for plural verbs or quantifiers.
  5. Are there other nouns with the same pluralization rule as “city”?
    Yes: baby → babies, puppy → puppies, lady → ladies, etc.
  6. Can “cities” ever refer to something other than towns or municipalities?
    Rarely, but sometimes “cities” can refer to metaphorical communities (e.g., “the cities of the mind” in literature).
  7. How is “cities” pronounced?
    /ˈsɪtiz/ (with a voiced “z” sound at the end).
  8. Do other languages pluralize “city” the same way?
    No, each language has its own pluralization rules.
  9. How do you pluralize “city” in compound nouns?
    Pluralize the main noun: city-state → city-states, city council → city councils.
  10. Is there a difference in pluralization between American and British English?
    No, both use “cities.”
  11. What are some common mistakes with the plural of “city”?
    Spelling “citys” or “cites,” using “city” with plural verbs, or mispronouncing “cities.”
  12. Can “cities” be used collectively or only as a countable noun?
    “Cities” is always countable but can refer to a collective group of urban areas.

12. Conclusion

The plural of “city” is cities, following the consonant + -y → -ies rule. This guide has explored the rules, exceptions, and common mistakes associated with this and similar nouns. Accurate pluralization is essential for clear English communication, especially in writing and formal contexts. Practice these rules, review the examples, and keep exploring irregular plurals to advance your mastery of English grammar.

If you have further questions, revisit the FAQ or try more practice exercises. For deeper understanding, explore related topics such as regular and irregular plurals, countable vs. uncountable nouns, and compound noun pluralization. Happy learning!

Leave a Comment