A singular noun refers to
just one person, animal, thing or place while a plural noun
represents more than one person, animal, thing or place. Nouns are either
singular or plural. Most plural nouns have an -s added to
their endings. Other plural nouns do not follow this same ending.
There are nouns that are always plural and take a plural verb. Jeans, knickers, panties, pants, pyjamas, shorts, tights, trousers, and underpants Pincers, pliers, scissors, shears, tongs Clogs, sandals, slippers, and sneakers Glasses (spectacles), binoculars
"A pair of" can be used with the above plural nouns and take a singular verb.
Other nouns that are always plural.
Nouns which are plural in form but take a singular verb The following plural nouns are used with a singular verb as they are treated as singular:
A collective noun can take a singular or a plural verb The following nouns can be singular or plural. Viewed as a single unit, the noun takes a singular verb; regarded as a group of separate members or parts, it becomes a plural noun used with a plural verb.
The new government has gained
more support since taking office.
The Government are determined to keep inflation in check.
The explorers stumbled across a species
of plant unknown to science.
Different fish species have been found in the coastal waters of the island
Data indicates that most of
the offenders come from broken home.
We will not draw any conclusion until we have looked at all the data.
Statistics is included in
this year's Mathematics syllabus.
The statistics tell us the current trend is towards more consumers' spending.
The enemy is calling for a
ceasefire.
Security is very tight as the enemy are everywhere. A collective noun treated as singular uses a singular possessive pronoun; a plural collective noun takes a plural possessive pronoun.
Our team has
won its first trophy. (The singular possessive
pronoun is its. The singular possessive
pronoun its agrees with
the singular collective noun team.)
Our team are deciding on the strategy for their next game. (Plural possessive pronoun: their)
The audience showed its
approval by clapping and cheering.
When the curtain came down, the audience began leaving their seats.
The full orchestra led by its
new conductor is performing in the city.
The orchestra do not agree to the venue for their next performance. Two subjects expressed as a single unit and take a singular verb
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Our program will take you through the basics of English grammar, giving you a foundation for further learning. Writing and grammar skills are essential in any line of work, at any age, and for any reason. Words, thought, spoken, and written, help focus and define activity, clearing away the noise of the day.
2. Singular and Plural Nouns
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