Understanding the Plural of “Hungry”: Rules, Usage, and Common Mistakes

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English learners often encounter confusion about whether adjectives like hungry have a plural form. Questions such as “What is the plural of hungry?” or “Can I say ‘hungries’?” are common, especially among those whose first languages use plural adjective forms. This article will address these questions, clarify the grammar, and explain why understanding how adjectives like hungry function is crucial for clear and accurate English.

Adjectives in English, including hungry, do not change form based on whether the noun is singular or plural. However, “hungry” can function in different ways: as an adjective, a nominalized noun phrase (e.g., the hungry), or even in metaphorical contexts. This leads to common mistakes and interesting questions about grammar and usage.

This comprehensive guide is designed for English learners, teachers, writers, editors, and anyone seeking to improve their grammatical precision. We will cover definitions, grammatical rules, detailed examples, common errors, advanced notes, practice exercises, and much more.

Here’s what you’ll find in this article: definitions, grammar rules, usage contexts, structural explanations, detailed examples, error correction, advanced discussions, and practical exercises for mastering the use of hungry in English.

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What Does “Hungry” Mean?

Hungry (adjective): feeling or showing the need or desire for food.

  • Literal meaning: Experiencing the physical sensation of needing food.
  • Figurative meaning: Having a strong desire for something (e.g., “hungry for success”).

Etymology: From Old English hungor (“hunger”) + -y (adjective suffix).
Part of speech: Adjective (modifies nouns).

Table 1: “Hungry” vs. Other Physical State Adjectives
Adjective Meaning Example
hungry needing food a hungry child
tired needing rest a tired worker
thirsty needing water a thirsty athlete
sleepy needing sleep a sleepy baby
cold feeling cold a cold person

3.2. Grammatical Classification

Adjective: A word that modifies a noun to give more information about it. Adjectives describe qualities or states.

Countable vs. Uncountable Words: “Hungry” is an adjective, not a noun, so it does not have a countable or uncountable form. This is a common misunderstanding among learners whose native languages allow adjectives to take plural forms.

Table 2: Adjectives vs. Nouns—Structural Differences
Property/Function Adjective (“hungry”) Noun (“hunger”)
Grammatical Role Describes a noun Names a thing/idea
Plural Form No plural form Can be pluralized (“hungers”)
Example hungry animals different hungers

3.3. Usage Contexts

  • Literal use: Refers to the physical need for food.
  • Figurative/metaphorical use: Refers to a strong desire for something abstract (e.g., “hungry for knowledge”).

Examples (Literal):

  • The hungry boy asked for another sandwich.
  • Hungry animals search for food every morning.
  • She felt hungry after the long walk.
  • The children came home hungry from school.
  • We helped the hungry people in the shelter.

Examples (Figurative):

  • She is hungry for success.
  • The company is hungry for innovation.
  • He has always been hungry for knowledge.
  • They are hungry for change in their community.
  • His hungry ambition drives him forward.

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Adjectives and Plurality in English

Rule: In English, adjectives do not change form depending on whether the noun is singular or plural.

Table 3: Adjective Forms in Singular and Plural Noun Phrases
Adjective Singular Noun Phrase Plural Noun Phrase
hungry a hungry child hungry children
tired a tired worker tired workers
thirsty a thirsty student thirsty students

4.2. “Hungry” as an Attribute

Hungry modifies nouns without changing its own form, regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural.

  • a hungry child (singular)
  • hungry children (plural)
  • the hungry dog (singular)
  • the hungry dogs (plural)

4.3. Nominalization of “Hungry”

In some contexts, adjectives can be nominalized—used as nouns to refer to a group of people who share the quality described. “The hungry” means “people who are hungry.”

Table 4: Nominalized Adjectives in English
Adjective Nominalized Form Meaning Example
hungry the hungry people who are hungry Aid for the hungry
rich the rich people who are rich The rich have many resources
poor the poor people who are poor The poor need support

4.4. “Hungers” as a Noun

Hunger is a noun meaning “the feeling or state of needing food.” Its plural, hungers, is used metaphorically to mean “different types of strong desires.”

  • hungry (adjective): She is hungry.
  • hunger (noun): Hunger is a global problem.
  • hungers (noun, plural): The many hungers of the soul.

“Different hungers” refers to different types of desire or need (not only for food).

4.5. Summary Table

Table 5: “Hungry,” “the hungry,” “hunger,” “hungers”—Forms, Functions, and Examples
Form Part of Speech Plural? Example
hungry adjective No hungry children
the hungry nominalized adjective (noun phrase) Plural meaning The hungry need help
hunger noun Uncountable Hunger is a problem
hungers noun (plural) Yes different hungers

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Attributive Use

Attributive use: “Hungry” comes directly before the noun it modifies.

  • The hungry dogs barked loudly.
  • Hungry workers lined up for lunch.

5.2. Predicative Use

Predicative use: “Hungry” comes after the verb “to be” or similar linking verbs.

  • The children are hungry.
  • They seem hungry after practice.

5.3. Nominal Use (“The Hungry”)

Nominal use: “The hungry” functions as a plural noun phrase referring to people who are hungry.

  • The hungry need our help.
  • Aid was sent to the hungry in the city.

5.4. Abstract/Metaphorical Use

Metaphorical use: “Hungry” and “hungers” can be used to express strong desires or needs beyond food.

  • Hungry for affection.
  • The hungers of the heart.

5.5. Comparative and Superlative Forms

The comparative and superlative of “hungry” are “hungrier” and “hungriest.”

Table 6: Regular and Irregular Adjective Comparisons
Adjective Comparative Superlative Example
hungry hungrier hungriest She is hungrier than her brother.
happy happier happiest He is the happiest boy here.
good better best This is the best meal.

6. Examples Section

6.1. Attributive Adjective Examples

  • hungry animals
  • hungry children
  • hungry students
  • hungry birds
  • hungry dogs
  • hungry wolves
  • hungry cats
  • hungry workers
  • hungry football players
  • hungry travelers

6.2. Predicative Adjective Examples

  • They are hungry.
  • We feel hungry.
  • The children seem hungry.
  • Are you hungry?
  • The puppies are hungry.
  • The students were hungry after class.
  • I am hungry.
  • My friends are hungry.
  • The birds look hungry.
  • The team became hungry for victory.

6.3. “The Hungry” as Noun Phrase

  • Aid for the hungry is essential.
  • Donations help the hungry survive.
  • The hungry are waiting in line.
  • Food banks support the hungry.
  • Volunteers serve the hungry every day.

6.4. Plural Noun + “Hungry”

  • hungry people
  • hungry children
  • hungry wolves
  • hungry guests
  • hungry families

6.5. Metaphorical/Abstract Examples

  • hungry for change
  • hungry for knowledge
  • hungry for attention
  • hungry for love
  • the many hungers of the human spirit

6.6. Comparative and Superlative Examples

  • She is hungrier than before.
  • This is the hungriest group we have seen.
  • He became hungrier as the day went on.
  • The hungriest animals arrived first.
  • My brother is always hungrier than I am.

6.7. Example Tables

Table 7: Singular vs. Plural Noun Phrases with “Hungry”
Singular Phrase Plural Phrase
a hungry child hungry children
the hungry dog the hungry dogs
a hungry person hungry people
Table 8: “Hungry” in Attributive vs. Predicative Positions
Attributive Predicative
The hungry child cried. The child is hungry.
Hungry wolves howled. The wolves were hungry.
Hungry students waited. The students are hungry.
Table 9: Nominalized Adjectives (“the hungry,” “the poor”)
Phrase Meaning Example
the hungry hungry people The hungry need food.
the poor poor people The poor must be supported.
the sick sick people Care for the sick.
Table 10: Adjective vs. Noun (“hungry” vs. “hunger”/”hungers”)
Form Type Example
hungry adjective hungry children
hunger noun (uncountable) Hunger is a problem.
hungers noun (countable, plural, abstract) Different hungers drive us.
Table 11: Comparative and Superlative Forms with Examples
Form Example
hungry I am hungry.
hungrier He is hungrier than I am.
hungriest This is the hungriest group.

7. Usage Rules

7.1. Rule 1: Adjectives Do Not Change Form for Plurality

Rule: Never add “-s” or other plural endings to adjectives in English.

  • Incorrect: hungrys
  • Correct: hungry children

7.2. Rule 2: Plurality Expressed in the Noun, Not the Adjective

The noun changes form to show singular or plural; the adjective remains the same.

  • hungry child (singular)
  • hungry children (plural)

7.3. Rule 3: Using “The Hungry” as a Plural Noun

“The hungry” refers to a group of people and always takes a plural verb:

  • The hungry are waiting for food.
  • The hungry need support.

7.4. Rule 4: “Hungers” as a Plural Noun (Advanced/Metaphorical)

When talking about different types of “hunger” (desires), use the plural noun “hungers”:

  • Many hungers drive people to succeed.
  • The hungers of the heart are powerful.

7.5. Exceptions and Special Cases

In some languages (e.g., Spanish, French), adjectives agree in number with the noun (“niños hambrientos,” “enfants affamés”). Learners may mistakenly apply this to English.

Table 12: Comparison with Other Languages’ Adjective Pluralization
Language Singular Plural English Equivalent
Spanish niño hambriento niños hambrientos hungry child/children
French enfant affamé enfants affamés hungry child/children
English hungry child hungry children —

Note: In English, adjectives never change for plural or gender.

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Error: Adding “-s” to “Hungry”

  • Incorrect: The hungries are waiting.
  • Correct: The hungry are waiting.

8.2. Error: Using “Hungrys” as a Noun

  • Incorrect: The hungrys need help.
  • Correct: The hungry need help.

8.3. Confusion with “Hungers” (Noun)

  • Incorrect: He has many hungrys.
  • Correct: He has many hungers (types of hunger/desires).

8.4. Adjective-Noun Agreement

  • Incorrect: Hungrier students (if meant as “students who are hungry” in general; “hungrier” is comparative, not plural).
  • Correct: Hungry students

Always use the base adjective form with plural nouns.

8.5. Table of Common Errors

Table 13: Incorrect vs. Correct Forms with Explanations
Incorrect Correct Explanation
hungrys hungry children Adjectives do not take plural “s”
The hungrys need food. The hungry need food. Use nominalized adjective, not “hungrys”
many hungrys many hungers “Hungers” is the plural noun for types of hunger
hungrier students (for plural) hungry students “Hungrier” is comparative, not plural
hungries (as plural noun) the hungry The correct nominal form is “the hungry”

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank

  1. The ___________ are waiting outside for food. (hungry/hungrys)
  2. After the game, the ___________ players ran to the cafeteria. (hungry/hungrys)
  3. We donated food to ___________ in our city. (the hungry/hungrys)
  4. He is always ___________ after swimming. (hungry/hungrys)
  5. Different ___________ motivate different people. (hungers/hungrys)

9.2. Error Correction

  1. The hungrys are lining up for lunch.
  2. We must help the hungries in our community.
  3. She has many hungrys for knowledge and adventure.
  4. The hungrier people are waiting outside. (intended as plural, not comparative)
  5. He is the hungryer student. (intended as superlative)

9.3. Identification Exercise

Identify if “hungry” is used attributively, predicatively, or nominally:

  1. Hungry animals roamed the fields.
  2. The children are hungry.
  3. The hungry need our support.
  4. He is hungry for knowledge.
  5. They seem hungry.

9.4. Sentence Construction

Create sentences using “hungry” in the following roles:

  1. Attributive with a plural noun
  2. Predicative with a singular noun
  3. Nominalized (“the hungry”)
  4. Metaphorical (“hungry for + noun”)
  5. Superlative form (“the hungriest”)

9.5. Multiple Choice

  1. Which is correct?
    • a) The hungrys are waiting.
    • b) The hungry are waiting.
  2. Which shows the adjective modifying a plural noun?
    • a) hungry children
    • b) hungrys children
  3. Which is the plural of “hunger” (meaning types of desire)?
    • a) hungries
    • b) hungers
  4. Which sentence uses “hungry” nominally?
    • a) The hungry need food.
    • b) The boy is hungry.
  5. Which is the superlative form?
    • a) hungriest
    • b) hungrier

9.6. Practice Tables

Table 14: Sentences to Classify by Usage Type
Sentence Usage Type
Hungry birds flew overhead.
The teachers are hungry.
The hungry often have no voice.
She is hungry for adventure.
This is the hungriest team we’ve seen.

9.7. Answer Key

  1. Fill-in-the-Blank Answers:
    1. hungry
    2. hungry
    3. the hungry
    4. hungry
    5. hungers
  2. Error Correction:
    1. The hungry are lining up for lunch.
    2. We must help the hungry in our community.
    3. She has many hungers for knowledge and adventure.
    4. The hungry people are waiting outside.
    5. He is the hungriest student.
  3. Identification Exercise:
    1. Attributive
    2. Predicative
    3. Nominal
    4. Metaphorical
    5. Predicative
  4. Sentence Construction (sample answers):
    1. Hungry cats waited by the door.
    2. The dog is hungry.
    3. The hungry need help every winter.
    4. She is hungry for recognition.
    5. This is the hungriest athlete on the team.
  5. Multiple Choice:
    1. b) The hungry are waiting.
    2. a) hungry children
    3. b) hungers
    4. a) The hungry need food.
    5. a) hungriest
  6. Practice Table Answers:
    • Hungry birds flew overhead. — Attributive
    • The teachers are hungry. — Predicative
    • The hungry often have no voice. — Nominal
    • She is hungry for adventure. — Metaphorical
    • This is the hungriest team we’ve seen. — Superlative/Comparative

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. “The Hungry” in Formal and Literary English

In formal or literary English, “the hungry” is a common way to refer collectively to people suffering from hunger. For example:

  • “Charity is for the hungry and the homeless.”
  • “The hungry shall be fed.”

Such usage is frequent in speeches, literature, journalism, and humanitarian writing.

10.2. Pluralization Patterns in Other Languages

Languages like Spanish and French require adjectives to agree in number and gender with the noun. For example, “niños hambrientos” (Spanish) or “enfants affamés” (French).

English learners sometimes transfer this rule and mistakenly make adjectives plural.

10.3. Corpus Analysis

A study of real English texts (corpora) shows these patterns:

Table 15: Authentic Usage Samples from Corpus
Phrase Source/Context
the hungry are often forgotten Newspaper editorial
hungry children need food NGO brochure
she was hungry for knowledge Novel excerpt
different hungers drive us Academic journal

10.4. Figurative Extensions and Idioms

  • hungry for power: strongly desiring power
  • hungry mind: a mind eager to learn
  • hungry for love: craving affection
  • hungry for results: eager for success or achievement
  • hungry eyes: looking at something with intense desire

10.5. Nominalization and Abstract Noun Formation

“Hungers” can be used abstractly to mean different types of desire or longing:

  • The hungers of the soul are varied.
  • His hungers included love, respect, and adventure.

This is an advanced, literary, or philosophical usage and less common in everyday speech.

11. FAQ Section

  1. Is “hungry” ever pluralized in English?

    No. “Hungry” is an adjective and does not take a plural form. The plural meaning comes from the noun it modifies.
  2. Can I say “hungries” to refer to multiple hungry people?

    No. The correct form is “the hungry” to refer to a group of hungry people. “Hungries” is not standard English.
  3. What does “the hungry” mean?

    “The hungry” is a nominalized adjective phrase meaning “people who are hungry.” It is used especially in formal or humanitarian contexts.
  4. How do I use “hungry” with plural nouns?

    Use the base form: “hungry children,” “hungry people,” “hungry dogs.” The adjective does not change.
  5. What is the difference between “hungry” and “hungers”?

    “Hungry” is an adjective. “Hungers” is the plural of the noun “hunger,” used to describe different types of desire or need, often metaphorically.
  6. Are there adjectives that take a plural form in English?

    No. English adjectives never change for number or gender.
  7. How do I refer to many different types of hunger?

    Use “hungers” (plural noun): “the hungers of the soul,” “different hungers.”
  8. Why do some languages pluralize adjectives but English does not?

    English is not an inflected language for adjectives. Adjectives are invariable (unchanging). Other languages, like Spanish and French, have grammatical agreement rules that English does not.
  9. Is “the hungry” singular or plural?

    It refers to a group, so it is used with plural verbs (“The hungry are…”).
  10. Can “hungry” be used as a noun?

    Not alone; only as a nominalized phrase (“the hungry”). Otherwise, use “hunger” or “hungers” for the noun form.
  11. How do I make comparative and superlative forms of “hungry”?

    Comparative: “hungrier” (e.g., “She is hungrier than before”).
    Superlative: “hungriest” (e.g., “He is the hungriest boy in the class”).
  12. What are common mistakes with the plural of “hungry”?

    Adding “-s” to “hungry” (“hungrys,” “hungries”); using “hungrys” as a noun; confusing “hungers” with the adjective form; incorrect adjective-noun agreement.

12. Conclusion

In summary, the adjective hungry does not have a plural form in English. Plurality is shown in the noun it describes, not in the adjective itself (e.g., “hungry children,” not “hungrys”). When referring to a group of people, use “the hungry.” The noun “hunger” can be pluralized as “hungers” in abstract, metaphorical contexts.

Understanding how adjectives and nouns interact is fundamental for accurate and clear English communication. To master this, review the rules, study the examples and tables, and practice with the exercises provided.

With attention and practice, you will avoid common mistakes and use “hungry” in all its forms with confidence!

Keep exploring and practicing English grammar. Remember: adjectives in English never change for number or gender—let the noun do the work!

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