' Convert the input word from singular to pluralFunction SingularToPlural(ByVal singular As String) As String ' convert to lowercase for easier comparison Dim lower As String = singular.ToLower() Dim res As String ' rule out a few exceptions If lower = "foot" Then res = "Feet" ElseIf lower = "goose" Then res = "Geese" ElseIf lower = "man" Then res = "Men" ElseIf lower = "woman" Then res = "Women" ElseIf lower = "criterion" Then res = "Criteria" ' plural uses "ies" if word ends with "y" preceeded by a non-vowel ElseIf lower.EndsWith("y") AndAlso "aeiou".IndexOf(lower.Substring _ (lower.Length - 2, 1)) ' the result must preserve the original word's capitalization If singular = lower Then Return res.ToLower() ' it was an all-lowercase word ElseIf singular = singular.ToUpper() Then Return res.ToUpper() ' it was an all-uppercase word Else Return res ' return whatever is in "res" End IfEnd Function