Let us study the declension table of ‘phala’ an a-ending neuter noun.

‘a’- ending Neuter Noun: phala
phala = fruit

Please note that the nominative and accusative plural forms – phalā and phale, respectively – are similar to that of buddha (buddhā – nominative plural and buddhe – accusative plural). However in case of neuter nouns the ‘āni’-ending forms (like phalāni) are more frequently used in the Suttas.

Another point to note is that the declension of the noun ‘phala’ differs from that of ‘buddha’ only in the nominative, accusative and vocative cases. The declension pattern or terminations for instrumental to locative cases are the same as ‘buddha’.

Hence many grammar books give the declension tables of neuter nouns in the following manner :

‘a’- ending Neuter Noun : phala

Please Note : This similarity is valid for all the neuter nouns. They have similar declined forms as the corresponding masculine nouns for instrumental to locative cases.