One and More than One

mice

Step 1: 'Mouse' means one small mouse. Step 2: When there are many mice, the word changes completely. Step 3: We do NOT say 'mouses'. Step 4: The correct word is 'mice'. Example: Three mice ran across the floor.

geese

Step 1: 'Goose' is a large bird. Step 2: One goose, but when there are many, the word changes. Step 3: We do NOT say 'gooses'. Step 4: The correct word is 'geese'. Example: Four geese were swimming in the pond.

children

Step 1: The sentence says 'Two', so we need more than one. Step 2: The word for one is 'child'. Step 3: The word for more than one child is 'children'. Step 4: So the sentence is: Two children are playing. This is correct!

men

Step 1: 'Three' means more than one. Step 2: So we need a plural word. Step 3: 'Man', 'mouse', and 'child' are all words for ONE thing. Step 4: 'Men' is the word for more than one man. Step 5: So we say 'three men'. Correct!