How To Make Last Names Plural

How To Make Last Names Plural

Sending holiday cards is a great way to connect with the people you love and show them how much they mean to you. But when it comes to addressing your envelopes, there's an art to getting it right, especially when it comes to writing the last name plural.

Here's how to address your envelopes correctly so you can make sure every card gets to its intended recipient.

Pluralizing The Last Names

The first way to make the last name plural is by simply adding an "s" at the end of it. So, if your good friends the Smiths are expecting a holiday card from you this year, you would just address it "The Smiths." This way is common and safe, and it works for most last names.

There are some exceptions, though! If the last name ends in an "s," an "x," a "z," a "ch," or a "sh," then you'll want to add an extra "es" at the end of the name when you pluralize it. So, if your card is going out to the Joneses this year instead of just one person named Jones, remember to add that extra "es" at the end!

If the last name ends in a "y," just add an "s" to make it plural. Do not add "ies." For example, if your last name is Kennedy, the plural of that is Kennedys. No apostrophes!

Don’t Add An Apostrophe When Making The Last Name Plural

When you’re addressing envelopes, don’t use an apostrophe to make a last name plural. The apostrophe is reserved for possessive forms, such as in “the Smiths’ house.” In this case, the Smiths own the house. When you’re referring to more than one member of the same family, omit the apostrophe: The Smiths live on Main Street.

The Last Name Is Written Out In Full On Envelopes

When you’re addressing envelopes, The last name is always written out in its entirety. Avoid abbreviations unless they are a part of the family’s last name. For example, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “The James Family” are acceptable, but “Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith” and “The James Fam” are not.

It is important to include your envelope address on your cards. Naturally, it is vital for the recipient to know where you live, especially if they are going to send you something in return.

But how do you make last names plural if the end of the last name normally functions as an irregular noun? For example, say a family's last name is "Chapman”. The end of their last name is "man," and the plural form of man is usually "men." In this case, it is not irregular when it is part of the last name. It would still be "Happy holidays from the Chapmans."

Now that you have a general idea of what your cards should include and what makes the best holiday cards, make sure to get started early, and don't forget about having fun!

I hope that you found this information helpful and that you're able to make last name plural with confidence in the future. If you need assistance, I would love to hear from you soon and help you create the perfect holiday card!