Clothing Vocabulary

Singular and plural forms

Pronunciation of -s/-es endings

The plural form of these nouns ends in voiceless /s/:

Look up words in a dictionary

hat – hats ; shirt – shirts ; coat – coats ; jacket – jackets ; boot – boots ; raincoat – raincoats ; cap – caps ; suit – suits ; skirt – skirts ; T-shirt – T-shirts ; sock – socks ; swimsuit – swimsuits ; wallet – wallets ; belt – belts ; cuff – cuffs ; backpack – backpacks ; bracelet – bracelets ; vest – vests ; pocket – pockets ; snap – snaps ; sweatshirt – sweatshirts

You buy these items in a store by the pair:

a pair of pants (always plural); a pair of sweatpants (always plural); a pair of shorts (always plural); a pair of boots (left and right); a pair of socks (left and right);

The plural form of these nouns ends in voiced /z/:

tie – ties ; shoe – shoes ; ring – rings ; windbreaker – windbreakers ; stocking – stockings ; sweater – sweaters ; handbag – handbags ; earring – earrings ; slipper – slippers ; sandal – sandals ; button – buttons ; zipper – zippers ; shawl – shawls ; sleeve – sleeves ; collar – collars ; umbrella – umbrellas ; hood – hoods ; buckle – buckles ; glove – gloves ; mitten – mittens ;

scarf scarves (–f –> –ves)

You buy these items in a store by the pair:

a pair of jeans (always plural); a pair of pajamas (always plural); a pair of shoes (left and right); a pair of earrings (left and right); a pair of slippers (left and right); a pair of sandals (left and right); a pair of stockings (left and right); a pair of gloves (left and right); a pair of mittens (left and right)

The plural form of these nouns ends in extra syllable /iz/:

dress – dresses ; purse – purses ; watch – watches ; blouse – blouses ; necklace – necklaces ; shoelace – shoelaces

You buy these items in a store by the pair:

a pair of glasses ; a pair of sunglasses ; a pair of shoelaces

Conversation practice

I'm Looking for a Shirt

Listen to the model dialog. Practice the dialog. Pay attention to stress and intonation. Then role play with a partner.

Customer: Excuse me. I’m looking for a shirt. (a/an + singular noun) (a pair of + plural noun)

Salesperson: Shirts are over there. (plural noun)

Customer: Thank you.

Salesperson: You’re welcome.

I'm Looking for a Jacket

Listen to the model dialog. Practice the dialog. Pay attention to stress and intonation. Then role play with a partner.

Salesperson: May I help you?

Customer: Yes, please. I'm looking for a jacket. (a/an + singular noun)

Salesperson: Here's a nice jacket. (a/an + adjective + singular noun)

Customer: But this is a corduroy jacket. (a/an + adjective + singular noun)

Salesperson: That's okay. Corduroy jackets are very popular this year. (adjective + plural noun)

Customer: Thanks anyway.

Salesperson: You're welcome. Come again.

I'm Looking for a Pair of Pants

Listen to the model dialog. Practice the dialog. Pay attention to stress and intonation. Then role play with a partner.

Salesperson: May I help you?

Customer: Yes, please. I'm looking for a pair of pants. (a pair of + plural noun)

Salesperson: Here's a nice pair of pants. (a/an + adjective + singular noun)

Customer: But these are leather pants. (adjective + plural noun)

Salesperson: That's okay. Leather pants are very popular this year.

Customer: Thanks anyway.

Salesperson: You're welcome. Come again.

Role plays

Student role plays