When we talk about making more than one copy of something, which word should we use: “copys” or “copies”? It’s a common question, especially for people who are learning English. In this article, we’re going to explore the correct term to use and why. We’ll keep the language simple and clear, so everyone can understand.
What’s the Right Word?
The correct word to use is “copies”. The word “copy” means one thing that is made to look exactly like another thing. When we have more than one, we say “copies”.
Why Not “Copys”?
In English, when a word ends in a “y”, and you want to make it show there’s more than one, you usually change the “y” to “i” and add “es”. This is why “copy” changes to “copies”.
Examples to Understand Better
- If you have one copy of a book, you say, “I have one copy.”
- But if you have more than one, you say, “I have two copies.”
A Little Tip:
For words that end in “y,” we have a simple rule. If there’s a vowel (like a, e, i, o, u) before the “y,” we just add “s.” But if there’s a consonant (any other letter that’s not a vowel) before the “y,” we change the “y” to “i” and add “es.”
Practice Time
To help you remember, here are some sentences. Fill in the blanks with either “copy” or “copies”:
- I need one more ______ of the report to give to my teacher.
- There are five ______ of the same book on the shelf.
- Can you make a ______ of this photo for me?
(Answers: 1. copy, 2. copies, 3. copy)
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