THE NOUN:NUMBER
25). There are two numbers in English---
*). A Noun that denotes one person or thing is said to be in the Singular Number;as,
Man,boy,girl,cow,knife,table,book,chair.
*). A Noun that denotes more than one person or thing is said to be in the Plural Number;as,Men,boys,girls,cows,knives,tables,books,chairs.
WAYS OF FORMING THE PLURAL OF NOUNS:--
26). The Plural of Nouns is fored according to the following rules:--
(1) The Plural of Nouns is generally formed by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Blow >) blows
>) Garden >) gardens
>) Hand >) hands
>) House >) houses
>) Map >) maps
>) Star >) stars
>) Stick >) sticks
>) Stone >) stones
(2). Nouns ending in ch(soft),s,sh,x or z form the Plural by adding -es to the Singular;as,
*)Singular *) Plural
>) Bench >) benches
>) Box >) boxes
>) Brush >) brushes
>) Dish >) dishes
>) Gas >) gases
>) Glass >) glasses
>) Loss >) losses
>) Quiz >) quizzes
>) Tax >) taxes
>) Watch >) watches
(3) Nouns ending in y,preceded by a consonant,form the Plural by changing y into ies;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Army >) armies
>) Baby >) babies
>) City >) cities
>) Duty >) duties
>) Fly >) flies
>) Lady >) ladies
>) Pony >) ponies
>) Story >) stories
But if the final y is preceded by a vowel(as in ay,ey,or oy), the PLural is formed by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Chimney >) chimneys
>) Day >) days
>) Journey >) journeys
>) key >) keys
>) Pay >) pays
>) Play >) plays
>) Ray >) rays
>) Storey >) storeys
>) Toy >) toys
>) Valley >) valleys
NOTE:--Nouns ending in quy form Plural in ies;as,soliloquy,soliloquies.
(4) Nouns ending in o, preceded by a consonant,generally form the Plural by adding -es to the Singular ;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Buffalo >) buffaloes
>) Calico >) calicoes
>) Cargo >) cargoes
>) Echo >) echoes
>) Hero >) heroes
>) Mango >) mangoes
>) Mosquito >) mosquitoes
>) Motto >) mottoes
>) Negro >) negroes
>) Potato >) potatoes
>) Torpedo >) torpedoes
>) Volcano >) volcanoes
But all words ending in oo,io,eo, or yo, and some words ending in o preceded by a consonantform the Plural by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Bamboo >) bamboos
>) Cameo >) cameos
>) Canto >) cantos
>) Cuckoo >) cuckoos
>) Curio >) curios
>) Dynamo >) dynamos
>) Embryo >) embryos
>) Photo >) photos
>) Piano >) pianos
>) Portfolio >) portfolios
>) Ratio >) ratios
>) Quarto >) quartos
>) Stereo >) stereos
>) Studio >) studios
NOTE:--But grotto,halo and memento have two plurals;grottos,grotteos;halos,haloes;mementos,mementoes.
(5) Nouns ending in f or fe form the Plural by changing f or fe into ves;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Calf >) calves
>) Elf >) elves
>) Half >) halves
>) Knife >) knives
>) Leaf >) leaves
>) Life >) lives
>) Loaf >) loaves
>) Sheaf >) sheaves
>) Shelf >) shelves
>) Thief >) thieves
>) Wife >) wives
>) Wolf >) wolves
But Nouns ending in ff,eef,oof,ief, and rf, and some Nouns ending in f form the PLural by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*)Singular *)Plural
>) Belief >) beliefs
>) Chief >) chiefs
>) Cliff >) cliffs
>) Dwarf >) dwarfs
>) Grief >) griefs
>) Gulf >) gulfs
>) Handkerchief >) handkerchiefs
>) Hoof >) hoofs
>) Mischief >) mischiefs
>) Proof >)proofs
>)Puff >) puffs
>) Reef >) reefs
>) Roof >) roofs
>) Scarf >) scarfs
>) Staff >) staffs
>) Stuff >) stuffs
>) Turf >) turfs
>) Wharf >) wharfs
NOTE:-(1) There are at least three Nouns ending in fe which form the Plural by simply adding -s;as,
safe--safes; strife--strifes; fife--fifes.
(2) Some take both forms;as,Hoof--hoofs, hooves; scarf--scarfs,scarves;
(3) Thief makes thieves.
27. The following Nouns form their Plural by a change of the inside vowel;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Dormouse >) dormice
>) Foot >) feet
>) Goose >) geese
>) Louse >) lice
>) Man >) men
>) Mouse >) mice
>) Tooth >) teeth
>) Woman >) women
28. A few Nouns make Plurals as in Old English.by adding -n or -ne to the Singular and sometimes altering the vowels;as,
29. A Compound Noun generally forms its Plural by adding -s to the principal word;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Foot-man >) foot-men
>) Hanger-on >) hangers-on
>) Looker-on >) lookers-on
>) Man-of-war >) men-of-war
>) passer-by >) passers-by
>) Son-in-law >) sons-in-law
>) Step-son >) step-sons
>) Washer-man >) washer-men
>) Coat-of-mail >) coats-of-mail
>) Commander-in-chief >) commanders-in-chief
>) Court-martial >) court-martial
>) Daughter-in-law >) daughters-in-law
>) Father-in-law >) fathers-in-law
>) Knight-errant >) knights-errant
>) Major-general >) major-generals
>) Maid-servant >) maid-servants
>) Mother-in-law >)mothers-in-law
>) Spend-thrift >) spend-thrifts
>) Step-daughter >) step-daughters
*)There are four Compound Nouns which take a double Plural;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Knight-templar >) Knights-Templars
>) Lord-justice >) lords-justices
>) Man-servant >) men-servants
>) Woman-servant >) women-servants
NOTE:--(
Kinsman,kinsmen;
30. Some foreign words have foreign Plurals;as,
(1)Latin
*) Singular *) Plurals
>) Addendum >) addenda
>) Alumnus >) alumni
>) Apparatus >) apparatuses
>) Appendix >) {appendices,appendixes}
>) Curriculum >) {curricula,curriculums}
>) Datum >) data
>) Dictum >) {dicta,dictums}
>) Erratum >) errata
>) Focus >) foci(focuses)
>) Formula >) {formulae,formulas}
>) Genius >) {geniuses(genii)}
>) Index >) {indices,indexes}
>) Medium >) {mediums,media}
>) Memorandum >) { memoranda,memorandums}
>) Radius >) radii
>) Stratum >) strata
>) Syllabus >) {syllabi,syllabuses}
>) Terminus >) {termini,terminuses}
(2) Greek.
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Analysis >) analyses
>) Axis >) axes
>) Basis >) bases
>) Crises >) crises
>) Criterion >) criteria
>) Hypothesis >)hypotheses
>) Oasis >) oases
>) Parenthesis >) parentheses
>) Phenomenon >) phenomena
>) Thesis >) theses
(3) Italian,French and Hebrew.
*) Singular *) Plural
> Bandit >) {banditti,bandits}
>) Bureau >) {bureaux,bureaus}
>) Cherub >) {cherubim,cherubs}
>) Madam >) {mesdames}
>) Monsieur >) messieurs
>) Seraph >){seraphim,seraphs}
31. Some Nouns have the same form in the Plural as in the Singular;as, deer,sheep,swine,cod,trout,salmon.
CORRECT USAGE:--
32.Several Nouns used in counting ,when preceded by Numerals, are unaltered in the Plural;as,score,dozen,gross,hundred,million,brace,pair,couple,stone,hundredweight.
>). His father has reached the age of four score and ten
>). This watch cost me three hundred rupees.
33.Some Nouns are found only in the Plural.
(1). Names of pairs of tings which are usually inseperable;as,pincers,tongs,scissors,snuffers,trousers,braces,spectacles,bellows.[Spectacle is used in the Singular in the sense of a 'sight']
(2). Names of things not generally thought of singly;as,entrails,bowels,victuals,vitals,eatables,movables,valuables.
(3). Names of games;as,billiards,draughts.
(4). Names of diseases;as,measles,mumps.
34. Some Nouns originally Singular are now generally used in the Plural;as,
>)Alms--She gave alms to the blind beggar,and for these he thanked her.
>)Eves--The eves are not yet finished.
>)Riches-Riches have wings.
35.The following Nouns are genarlly used in the Singular:--
>) Mathematics--Mathematics is a difficult subject.
>) News---The news is too good to be true.
>) Innings---The first innings is not yet over.
>) Physics---Physics is his favourite study.
>) Politics---Politics is not meant for young boys
>) Gallows---A gallows has been erected.
"Means" is used either as Singular or Plural.But when it means"wealth",it is always Plural;as,
>) This is simply a means to an end.
>) By these means he passed the examination.
>) His means are small.
36. Some Collective Nouns,though Singular in form,are always treated as Plural;as,
>) Cattle.-- These cattle belong to Mr Smith.
>) People.-- Many people [persons] were in the streets.
>) Vermin.--Vermin have destroyed the crops.
>) Poultry.--These poultry are mine.
>) Gentry.-- The gentry were present there.
NOTE:--When people is used in the sense of "nation",the Plural is peoples;as,
>) The English are a brave people.(Singular)
>) Asia is inhabited by many peoples.(Plural)
37. The following words are generally used only in the Singular form:--
>) Abuse.---He showered abuse(bad language) on her for no fault.
>) Alphabet.--He has learnt the alphabet.
>) Information.--I shall give you the information you need.
>) Furniture---The whole furniture was spoilt by rain.
>) Offspring---These four sons are my offspring.
>) Poetry---Milton wrote very good poetry(poems).
>) Scenery--The scenery of Kashmir is charming.
38. Note the following Plurals:
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Mr >) Messrs
>) Mr >) { Messrs White,or the Mr Whites}
>) Mrs >) Mesdames
>) Miss Brown >) {Misses Brown,or the Miss Browns}
39. The Plural of letters,figures, and symbols is formed by adding an apostrophe and s;as,
>) Mark your p's and q's.
>) Add two 5's and three 4's.
>) Four B.A's and three M.A's applied for the post.
40. Abstract Nouns have strictly no Plural; as, hope,love,kindness, When such words are used in the Plural they become Common Nouns;as,
>) Kindnesses=acts of kindness.
>) Generosities=acts of generosity.
*) Material Nouns also are not used in the Plural;as,copper,tin,stone,iron. When used in the Plural they become Common Nouns and are used in a different sense;as,
>) Coppers=copper coins.
>) Tins=boxes or cans made of tin.
>) Stones=small pieces of stone.
>) Irons= fetters or different kinds of iron.
41.Some Nouns have two forms for the Plural ,with differnt meanings:--
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Brother { brothers,sons of same father.
{ brethren,members of the same society.
>) Appendix { appendixes,small outgrowth on the surface of an organ.
{ appendices,something added,especially at the end of a book.
>) Cloth { cloths,kinds or pieces of cloth.
{ clothes,garments for wear.
>) Die { dies,stamps for coining.
{ dice,small cubes used in gaming.
>) Fish { fish,taken collectively.
{ fishes,taken separately.
>) Genius { geniuses,men of great genius or talent.
{ genii,imaginary spirits of the air.
>) Index { indexes, tables of contents to books.
{ indices,sings used in algebra
>) Penny { pennies,denotes the number of coins;as,six pennies.
{ pence, a sum of money,viewed as a whole;as,ten pence.
>) Shot { shot,the small balls fired from a gun;as,Have you any shot left.
{ shots, the separate acts of shooting;as, He had five shots.
>) Staff {staffs,bodies of skilled officers.
{ staves,sticks or poles.
42. Some Nouns have one meaning in the Singular ,and two in the Plural:_-
*) Singular *) Plural
(singular) Colour:(colour).
>) Moral:( a moral lesson). Morals{ 1. Moral lessons.
{ 2. Conduct.
>) Number:(a quantity). Numbers { 1. Quantities.
{ 2. Verses.
>) Pain :(suffering). Pains{ 1. Sufferings.
{ 2. Care,exertion;as, No pains,no gains.
>) Part:(portion). Parts { 1. Portions.
{ 2. Abilities.
>) Premise:{ a statement or Premises{ 1. Propositions.
proposition). { 2. Surroundings to a house.
>) Quarter: (a fourth part). Quarters { 1. Fourth parts.
{ 2. Lodgings.
>) Spectacle:( a sight). Spectacles{ 1. Sights
{ 2. Eye-glasses.
43. Some Nouns have one meaning in the Singular and another in the Plural:---
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Advice:(counsel). >) Advices:(information).
>) Air:(atmosphere). >) Airs:(affected manners).
>) Compass:{ 1. extent. >) Compasses:{ an instrument for measuring}
{ 2. mariner's
compass
>) Copper:(a metal). >) Coppers:(coins made of copper).
>) Force:(strength or energy). >) Forces:( army).
>) Good: (benefit). >) Goods:( property).
>) Iron: ( a metal). >) Irons:(fetters made of iron).
>) Physic: ( medicine). >) Physics:( natural science).
>) Respect: ( regard). >) Respects:( compliments).
>) Return:( coming back). >) Returns:( statistics).
Exercise 10. Write out the following sentences,changing the Nouns in brackets into the Plural Number:--
>) The (negro) were not fond of(tomato);they preferred(potato).
>) The (lady) were stung by (mosquito).
>) The (hero) rode on their(pony).
>) They paid (tax) on the ( cargo).
>) The (wolf) attacked the(calf) but were driven by a group of(dwarf).
>) The (cry) of the(wolf) made(echo) among the(reef).
>) The (thief) hid themselves among the(bamboo).
>) The (Volcano) throw out molten lava.
>) The(actress) played the (piano).
>) Most(child) as well as (man) and (woman) ,and even(baby),have bad (tooth).
>) I saw a group of (mouse) chasing the farmers (wife) who cut off their (tail) and (nose) and blinded their (eye) with their ( knife).
>) These (box) are full of (watch).
Exercise 11. Correct the following sentences:---
>) The sceneries of Kashmir are very charming.
>) The negroes have dirty hairs.
>) The news are good.
>) That house is built of stones.
>) Do you like these poetries?
>) Five hundreds men were present there.
>) I bought two dozens oranges.
>) The solitary Reaper is a nice poetry.
>) We must take pity on poor blinds.
>) Poors are always with us.
>) Politics are not meant for young boys.
>) I do not were trouser.
>) Father-in-lawas loves their son-in-laws.
>) His cattles are grazing in the fields.
>) Please cut it with a scissors.
>) Physics are an interesting subject.
>) I saw four deers in the field.
>) Such phenomenon are seen on the Red Sea
>) This car cost me forty thousands rupees.
>) What are the criterions of success in life?
Exercise 12. Write out the following sentences choosing the correct form of the Verbs given in brackets:----
>) No news (is,are) good news.
>) Evil(was,were) the news we heard.
>) The tiding(is,are) false.
>) The odds (is,are) against us.
>) The gallows(has,have) just been erected.
>) Mathematics(is,are) his favourite study.
>) Riches(have,has) wings.
>) Politics(are,is) an inetersting subject.
>) There (is,are) few gentry in this town.
>) Alms(was.were) given to the poor.
>) Thanks(is,are) due to him.
>) Mankind(does,do) not know this.
>) My spectacles (is,are) missing.
>) Measles (is,are) an infectious disease.
>) The second innings(is,are) not yet over.
25). There are two numbers in English---
(1) the Singular,and (2) the Plural.
*). A Noun that denotes one person or thing is said to be in the Singular Number;as,
Man,boy,girl,cow,knife,table,book,chair.
*). A Noun that denotes more than one person or thing is said to be in the Plural Number;as,Men,boys,girls,cows,knives,tables,books,chairs.
WAYS OF FORMING THE PLURAL OF NOUNS:--
26). The Plural of Nouns is fored according to the following rules:--
(1) The Plural of Nouns is generally formed by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Blow >) blows
>) Garden >) gardens
>) Hand >) hands
>) House >) houses
>) Map >) maps
>) Star >) stars
>) Stick >) sticks
>) Stone >) stones
(2). Nouns ending in ch(soft),s,sh,x or z form the Plural by adding -es to the Singular;as,
*)Singular *) Plural
>) Bench >) benches
>) Box >) boxes
>) Brush >) brushes
>) Dish >) dishes
>) Gas >) gases
>) Glass >) glasses
>) Loss >) losses
>) Quiz >) quizzes
>) Tax >) taxes
>) Watch >) watches
(3) Nouns ending in y,preceded by a consonant,form the Plural by changing y into ies;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Army >) armies
>) Baby >) babies
>) City >) cities
>) Duty >) duties
>) Fly >) flies
>) Lady >) ladies
>) Pony >) ponies
>) Story >) stories
But if the final y is preceded by a vowel(as in ay,ey,or oy), the PLural is formed by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Chimney >) chimneys
>) Day >) days
>) Journey >) journeys
>) key >) keys
>) Pay >) pays
>) Play >) plays
>) Ray >) rays
>) Storey >) storeys
>) Toy >) toys
>) Valley >) valleys
NOTE:--Nouns ending in quy form Plural in ies;as,soliloquy,soliloquies.
(4) Nouns ending in o, preceded by a consonant,generally form the Plural by adding -es to the Singular ;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Buffalo >) buffaloes
>) Calico >) calicoes
>) Cargo >) cargoes
>) Echo >) echoes
>) Hero >) heroes
>) Mango >) mangoes
>) Mosquito >) mosquitoes
>) Motto >) mottoes
>) Negro >) negroes
>) Potato >) potatoes
>) Torpedo >) torpedoes
>) Volcano >) volcanoes
But all words ending in oo,io,eo, or yo, and some words ending in o preceded by a consonantform the Plural by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Bamboo >) bamboos
>) Cameo >) cameos
>) Canto >) cantos
>) Cuckoo >) cuckoos
>) Curio >) curios
>) Dynamo >) dynamos
>) Embryo >) embryos
>) Photo >) photos
>) Piano >) pianos
>) Portfolio >) portfolios
>) Ratio >) ratios
>) Quarto >) quartos
>) Stereo >) stereos
>) Studio >) studios
NOTE:--But grotto,halo and memento have two plurals;grottos,grotteos;halos,haloes;mementos,mementoes.
(5) Nouns ending in f or fe form the Plural by changing f or fe into ves;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Calf >) calves
>) Elf >) elves
>) Half >) halves
>) Knife >) knives
>) Leaf >) leaves
>) Life >) lives
>) Loaf >) loaves
>) Sheaf >) sheaves
>) Shelf >) shelves
>) Thief >) thieves
>) Wife >) wives
>) Wolf >) wolves
But Nouns ending in ff,eef,oof,ief, and rf, and some Nouns ending in f form the PLural by adding -s to the Singular;as,
*)Singular *)Plural
>) Belief >) beliefs
>) Chief >) chiefs
>) Cliff >) cliffs
>) Dwarf >) dwarfs
>) Grief >) griefs
>) Gulf >) gulfs
>) Handkerchief >) handkerchiefs
>) Hoof >) hoofs
>) Mischief >) mischiefs
>) Proof >)proofs
>)Puff >) puffs
>) Reef >) reefs
>) Roof >) roofs
>) Scarf >) scarfs
>) Staff >) staffs
>) Stuff >) stuffs
>) Turf >) turfs
>) Wharf >) wharfs
NOTE:-(1) There are at least three Nouns ending in fe which form the Plural by simply adding -s;as,
safe--safes; strife--strifes; fife--fifes.
(2) Some take both forms;as,Hoof--hoofs, hooves; scarf--scarfs,scarves;
staff--staffs,staves; wharf--wharfs,wharves.
(3) Thief makes thieves.
27. The following Nouns form their Plural by a change of the inside vowel;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Dormouse >) dormice
>) Foot >) feet
>) Goose >) geese
>) Louse >) lice
>) Man >) men
>) Mouse >) mice
>) Tooth >) teeth
>) Woman >) women
28. A few Nouns make Plurals as in Old English.by adding -n or -ne to the Singular and sometimes altering the vowels;as,
Ox,oxen;{child,children;}
{cow,kine(more commonly cows');}
{ brother,brethren(more commonly 'brothers').}
29. A Compound Noun generally forms its Plural by adding -s to the principal word;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Foot-man >) foot-men
>) Hanger-on >) hangers-on
>) Looker-on >) lookers-on
>) Man-of-war >) men-of-war
>) passer-by >) passers-by
>) Son-in-law >) sons-in-law
>) Step-son >) step-sons
>) Washer-man >) washer-men
>) Coat-of-mail >) coats-of-mail
>) Commander-in-chief >) commanders-in-chief
>) Court-martial >) court-martial
>) Daughter-in-law >) daughters-in-law
>) Father-in-law >) fathers-in-law
>) Knight-errant >) knights-errant
>) Major-general >) major-generals
>) Maid-servant >) maid-servants
>) Mother-in-law >)mothers-in-law
>) Spend-thrift >) spend-thrifts
>) Step-daughter >) step-daughters
*)There are four Compound Nouns which take a double Plural;as,
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Knight-templar >) Knights-Templars
>) Lord-justice >) lords-justices
>) Man-servant >) men-servants
>) Woman-servant >) women-servants
NOTE:--(
1) We say mouthfuls,spoonfuls,handfuls because they are regarded as one word.
(2) Compound Nouns ending in man form their Plurals by changing the vowel;as,
Kinsman,kinsmen;
nobleman,noblemen;
Dutchman,Dutchmen;
Frenchman,Frenchmen;
Englishman,Englishmen;
statesman,statesmen.
But the Plurals of :-
Northman(Northmans),
Brahman(Brahmans),
Musalman(Musalmans), Turcoman(Turcomans).
30. Some foreign words have foreign Plurals;as,
(1)Latin
*) Singular *) Plurals
>) Addendum >) addenda
>) Alumnus >) alumni
>) Apparatus >) apparatuses
>) Appendix >) {appendices,appendixes}
>) Curriculum >) {curricula,curriculums}
>) Datum >) data
>) Dictum >) {dicta,dictums}
>) Erratum >) errata
>) Focus >) foci(focuses)
>) Formula >) {formulae,formulas}
>) Genius >) {geniuses(genii)}
>) Index >) {indices,indexes}
>) Medium >) {mediums,media}
>) Memorandum >) { memoranda,memorandums}
>) Radius >) radii
>) Stratum >) strata
>) Syllabus >) {syllabi,syllabuses}
>) Terminus >) {termini,terminuses}
(2) Greek.
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Analysis >) analyses
>) Axis >) axes
>) Basis >) bases
>) Crises >) crises
>) Criterion >) criteria
>) Hypothesis >)hypotheses
>) Oasis >) oases
>) Parenthesis >) parentheses
>) Phenomenon >) phenomena
>) Thesis >) theses
(3) Italian,French and Hebrew.
*) Singular *) Plural
> Bandit >) {banditti,bandits}
>) Bureau >) {bureaux,bureaus}
>) Cherub >) {cherubim,cherubs}
>) Madam >) {mesdames}
>) Monsieur >) messieurs
>) Seraph >){seraphim,seraphs}
31. Some Nouns have the same form in the Plural as in the Singular;as, deer,sheep,swine,cod,trout,salmon.
CORRECT USAGE:--
32.Several Nouns used in counting ,when preceded by Numerals, are unaltered in the Plural;as,score,dozen,gross,hundred,million,brace,pair,couple,stone,hundredweight.
>). His father has reached the age of four score and ten
>). This watch cost me three hundred rupees.
>). I bought two dozen mangoes.
>). Twenty hundredweight make one ton.
NOTE:-Gross has no plural form,and is always followed by of.We say--a gross of pins,two gross of pins.
NOTE:-Gross has no plural form,and is always followed by of.We say--a gross of pins,two gross of pins.
33.Some Nouns are found only in the Plural.
(1). Names of pairs of tings which are usually inseperable;as,pincers,tongs,scissors,snuffers,trousers,braces,spectacles,bellows.[Spectacle is used in the Singular in the sense of a 'sight']
(2). Names of things not generally thought of singly;as,entrails,bowels,victuals,vitals,eatables,movables,valuables.
(3). Names of games;as,billiards,draughts.
(4). Names of diseases;as,measles,mumps.
(5). Some miscellaneous Nouns;as,thanks,nupitals,wages,tidings,proceeds(of sale),assets,environs,obsequies,premises(in the sense of houses,lands,etc).
34. Some Nouns originally Singular are now generally used in the Plural;as,
>)Alms--She gave alms to the blind beggar,and for these he thanked her.
>)Eves--The eves are not yet finished.
>)Riches-Riches have wings.
35.The following Nouns are genarlly used in the Singular:--
>) Mathematics--Mathematics is a difficult subject.
>) News---The news is too good to be true.
>) Innings---The first innings is not yet over.
>) Physics---Physics is his favourite study.
>) Politics---Politics is not meant for young boys
>) Gallows---A gallows has been erected.
"Means" is used either as Singular or Plural.But when it means"wealth",it is always Plural;as,
>) This is simply a means to an end.
>) By these means he passed the examination.
>) His means are small.
36. Some Collective Nouns,though Singular in form,are always treated as Plural;as,
>) Cattle.-- These cattle belong to Mr Smith.
>) People.-- Many people [persons] were in the streets.
>) Vermin.--Vermin have destroyed the crops.
>) Poultry.--These poultry are mine.
>) Gentry.-- The gentry were present there.
NOTE:--When people is used in the sense of "nation",the Plural is peoples;as,
>) The English are a brave people.(Singular)
>) Asia is inhabited by many peoples.(Plural)
37. The following words are generally used only in the Singular form:--
>) Abuse.---He showered abuse(bad language) on her for no fault.
>) Alphabet.--He has learnt the alphabet.
>) Information.--I shall give you the information you need.
>) Furniture---The whole furniture was spoilt by rain.
>) Offspring---These four sons are my offspring.
>) Poetry---Milton wrote very good poetry(poems).
>) Scenery--The scenery of Kashmir is charming.
38. Note the following Plurals:
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Mr >) Messrs
>) Mr >) { Messrs White,or the Mr Whites}
>) Mrs >) Mesdames
>) Miss Brown >) {Misses Brown,or the Miss Browns}
39. The Plural of letters,figures, and symbols is formed by adding an apostrophe and s;as,
>) Mark your p's and q's.
>) Add two 5's and three 4's.
>) Four B.A's and three M.A's applied for the post.
40. Abstract Nouns have strictly no Plural; as, hope,love,kindness, When such words are used in the Plural they become Common Nouns;as,
>) Kindnesses=acts of kindness.
>) Generosities=acts of generosity.
*) Material Nouns also are not used in the Plural;as,copper,tin,stone,iron. When used in the Plural they become Common Nouns and are used in a different sense;as,
>) Coppers=copper coins.
>) Tins=boxes or cans made of tin.
>) Stones=small pieces of stone.
>) Irons= fetters or different kinds of iron.
41.Some Nouns have two forms for the Plural ,with differnt meanings:--
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Brother { brothers,sons of same father.
{ brethren,members of the same society.
>) Appendix { appendixes,small outgrowth on the surface of an organ.
{ appendices,something added,especially at the end of a book.
>) Cloth { cloths,kinds or pieces of cloth.
{ clothes,garments for wear.
>) Die { dies,stamps for coining.
{ dice,small cubes used in gaming.
>) Fish { fish,taken collectively.
{ fishes,taken separately.
>) Genius { geniuses,men of great genius or talent.
{ genii,imaginary spirits of the air.
>) Index { indexes, tables of contents to books.
{ indices,sings used in algebra
>) Penny { pennies,denotes the number of coins;as,six pennies.
{ pence, a sum of money,viewed as a whole;as,ten pence.
>) Shot { shot,the small balls fired from a gun;as,Have you any shot left.
{ shots, the separate acts of shooting;as, He had five shots.
>) Staff {staffs,bodies of skilled officers.
{ staves,sticks or poles.
42. Some Nouns have one meaning in the Singular ,and two in the Plural:_-
*) Singular *) Plural
(singular) Colour:(colour).
(Plural) Colours{ 1. Kinds of colour. 2.The flag of a regiment.
Singular) Custom:(usual practice). Customs{ 1.Usual practices.
{ 2. Duty levied upon imports from foreign countries.
>) Effect:(result). Effects { 1. Results
{ 2.Property
>) Letter{ 1. Of alphabet. Letters { 1.Letters of the alphabet.
{ 2.A letter written { 2. Letters written to others.
to someone. { 3. Literature.
>) Manner:(method). Manners{ 1. Methods
{ 2. Corerct behaviour.
Singular) Custom:(usual practice). Customs{ 1.Usual practices.
{ 2. Duty levied upon imports from foreign countries.
>) Effect:(result). Effects { 1. Results
{ 2.Property
>) Letter{ 1. Of alphabet. Letters { 1.Letters of the alphabet.
{ 2.A letter written { 2. Letters written to others.
to someone. { 3. Literature.
>) Manner:(method). Manners{ 1. Methods
{ 2. Corerct behaviour.
>) Moral:( a moral lesson). Morals{ 1. Moral lessons.
{ 2. Conduct.
>) Number:(a quantity). Numbers { 1. Quantities.
{ 2. Verses.
>) Pain :(suffering). Pains{ 1. Sufferings.
{ 2. Care,exertion;as, No pains,no gains.
>) Part:(portion). Parts { 1. Portions.
{ 2. Abilities.
>) Premise:{ a statement or Premises{ 1. Propositions.
proposition). { 2. Surroundings to a house.
>) Quarter: (a fourth part). Quarters { 1. Fourth parts.
{ 2. Lodgings.
>) Spectacle:( a sight). Spectacles{ 1. Sights
{ 2. Eye-glasses.
43. Some Nouns have one meaning in the Singular and another in the Plural:---
*) Singular *) Plural
>) Advice:(counsel). >) Advices:(information).
>) Air:(atmosphere). >) Airs:(affected manners).
>) Compass:{ 1. extent. >) Compasses:{ an instrument for measuring}
{ 2. mariner's
compass
>) Copper:(a metal). >) Coppers:(coins made of copper).
>) Force:(strength or energy). >) Forces:( army).
>) Good: (benefit). >) Goods:( property).
>) Iron: ( a metal). >) Irons:(fetters made of iron).
>) Physic: ( medicine). >) Physics:( natural science).
>) Respect: ( regard). >) Respects:( compliments).
>) Return:( coming back). >) Returns:( statistics).
Exercise 10. Write out the following sentences,changing the Nouns in brackets into the Plural Number:--
>) The (negro) were not fond of(tomato);they preferred(potato).
>) The (lady) were stung by (mosquito).
>) The (hero) rode on their(pony).
>) They paid (tax) on the ( cargo).
>) The (wolf) attacked the(calf) but were driven by a group of(dwarf).
>) The (cry) of the(wolf) made(echo) among the(reef).
>) The (thief) hid themselves among the(bamboo).
>) The (Volcano) throw out molten lava.
>) The(actress) played the (piano).
>) Most(child) as well as (man) and (woman) ,and even(baby),have bad (tooth).
>) I saw a group of (mouse) chasing the farmers (wife) who cut off their (tail) and (nose) and blinded their (eye) with their ( knife).
>) These (box) are full of (watch).
Exercise 11. Correct the following sentences:---
>) The sceneries of Kashmir are very charming.
>) The negroes have dirty hairs.
>) The news are good.
>) That house is built of stones.
>) Do you like these poetries?
>) Five hundreds men were present there.
>) I bought two dozens oranges.
>) The solitary Reaper is a nice poetry.
>) We must take pity on poor blinds.
>) Poors are always with us.
>) Politics are not meant for young boys.
>) I do not were trouser.
>) Father-in-lawas loves their son-in-laws.
>) His cattles are grazing in the fields.
>) Please cut it with a scissors.
>) Physics are an interesting subject.
>) I saw four deers in the field.
>) Such phenomenon are seen on the Red Sea
>) This car cost me forty thousands rupees.
>) What are the criterions of success in life?
Exercise 12. Write out the following sentences choosing the correct form of the Verbs given in brackets:----
>) No news (is,are) good news.
>) Evil(was,were) the news we heard.
>) The tiding(is,are) false.
>) The odds (is,are) against us.
>) The gallows(has,have) just been erected.
>) Mathematics(is,are) his favourite study.
>) Riches(have,has) wings.
>) Politics(are,is) an inetersting subject.
>) There (is,are) few gentry in this town.
>) Alms(was.were) given to the poor.
>) Thanks(is,are) due to him.
>) Mankind(does,do) not know this.
>) My spectacles (is,are) missing.
>) Measles (is,are) an infectious disease.
>) The second innings(is,are) not yet over.
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