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THE NOUN: NUMBER

30. Notice the change of form the second word of each pair:--

.

Trees

Tree

Boxes

Box

Oxen

Ox

Men

Man

The first word of each pair denotes onething, the second word of each pair denotes more thanone.

A Noun that denotes oneperson or thing, is said to be in the SingularNumber; as, Singular Number

Boy, girl, bird, tree, book, pen.

A Noun that denotes more than one person or thing, is said to be in the Plural Number; as,Plural Number

Boys, girls, cows, birds, trees, books, pens.

Thus there are twoNumbers in Englishthe Singular and the Plural.

Numberthe Singular the Plural

HOW PLUR LS RE FORMED31. (i) The Plural of nouns is generally formed by adding -s to the singular; as,

. (i) -s boy, boys; girl, girls; book, books

pen, pens; desk, desks; cow, cows.

(ii) But Nouns ending in -s, -sh, -ch(soft), or -x form the floral by adding -es to the singular; as,

(ii) -s, -sh, -ch (soft), -x -es

class, classess;

kiss, kisses (, );dish, dishes;

brush, brushes (, );match, matches (, );watch, watches;

branch, branches (, );tax, taxes;

box, boxes.

(iii) Most Nouns ending in -oalso form the plural by adding -es to the singular; as,

(iii) -o -es

buffalo, buffaloes = ;potato, potatoes = ;negro, negroes;

mango, mangoes = ;


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cargo, cargoes = ;volcano, volcanoes = ;hero, heroes;

echo, echoes = , , (iv) A few nouns ending in -o merely add -s; as,

(iv) -o -s dynamo, dynamos;

canto, cantos = ;kilo, kilos;

solo, solos = / ;memento, mementos;

photo, photos;

logo, logos;

ratio, ratios = , ;quarto, quartos = ;stereo, stereos;

commando, commandos;

(v) Nouns ending in y, preceded by a consonant,form their plural by changing yand adding es;

as,

(v) -y -y -i -es

baby, babies;

army, armies;

lady, ladies;

story, stories;

city, cities;

pony, ponies = ;(vi) The following nouns ending in f or feform their plural by changing f or fe into v and es; as,

(vi) -f -fe -f -fev -es

thief, thieves = ;life, lives;

loaf, loaves;

half, halves = ;sheaf, sheaves = ;wife, wives = ;calf, calves = ;elf, elves = ;wolf, wolves = ;leaf, leaves = ;shelf, shelves = ;


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self, selves = ;

The nouns dwarf, hero, scarf, and wharf take s or ves in the plural.

dwarf, hero, scarf wharf -s -ves pluraldwarf or swarves = //hoofs or hooves = , , ()scarf or scarves = wharfs or wharves =

Other words ending in for feadd s; as,

-f -fe -s chief, chiefs = , , ;gulf, gulfs = ;safe, safes = ;cliff, cliffs = ;proof, proofs = ;handkerchief, handkerchief =

32. A few nouns form their plural32. A few nouns form their plural by changing the inside vowel of

the singular; as,

. singularman, men;

woman, women;

foot, feet = ;tooth, teeth = ;goose, geese = ;mouse, mice = ;louse, lice = .

33. There are a few nouns that form their plural by adding ento the singular; as,

. -en singular

ox, oxen = ;child, children;

The plural of fishis fishor fishes. The formfishes is less usual.

fish fish fishesfishes 34. Some nouns have the singular and the plural alike; as,

. alike =

Swine = ,sheep = ,deer = ,


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salmon,

trout,

cod,

= ,

aircraft = ,spacecraft = ,series = , , ,

eg. a series of bombings = a series of + Noun

species = , (. , )pair = , a pair of troucers = dozen = , a dozen of organges = score = ,gross = ,

two gross of apples = 288

a gross of apples = 144

ofgrossa

ofpaira

ofscoreaofdozena

+ Noun

Dozens of

+ Noun

= Hundreds of = Tens of thousands of = Hundreds of = Millions of =

Hundreds of people =

321

43421

ADJ

number

Three +321

43421

ADJ

number

dozen + Noun eg.44 344 21

ADJ

millions10 43421

N

people

10 million people.

Pair, dozen, score, gross, hundred, thousand (when used after numerals).

pair, dozen, score, gross, hundred, thousand (singular plural ) ()

I bought43421

numberal

three 321

ADJ

dozen 43421

N

oranges .

***Dozen

noun

oranges

Adjective

Dozen

s

Noun Adjective s ***(. dozen of ) s

Adjectiveeg.

43421

ADJ

millions10 321

N

people .{

ADJ

10 44 344 21

ADJasusedNoun

million321

Noun

people .

***Plural Adjective Singulareg. He is 10

321

Singular

syear old.


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anitem

articleof furniture =

a piece = a piece of chock = a bar = a bar of soap =

Trousers = ,drawers = ,

breeches = , ,jeans = ,tights = ,shorts = ,pyjamas = .

(3) Certain other nouns; as,

(). Annals = ,thanks = ,

proceeds (of a sale) = / ,tidings (out dated word) = = news,environs = ,nuptials = = wedding,obsequies = , , ,assets = , ,chattels = .

Annals,...

..Trousers,.

.Bellows,..

+ Plural Verb

36. Some nouns originally singular are now generally used in the plural; as,

. Singular Plural Alms = (),

eg. to go alms to the poor. to collect alms.

riches = , eg. to amass riches.

from rags to riches. eaves =

,

Riches do many things. 37. The following nouns look plural but are in fact singular:--

. Plural Singular (1) Names of subjects

() subject =

mathematics, physics, electronics, etc.


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(2) The word news

() newsNo news is good news.

(3) Names of some common diseases

() () common diseases =

measles = ,mumps = ,rickets = .

(4) Names of some games

() billiards = draughts = Mathematics is his favourite study. No news is good news. India won by aninnings and three runs.

Means is used either as singular or plural. But when it has the meaning of wealth it is always

plural; as,

Means Singular Plural Means Plural

Means (n) = 1. (Singular) Verb singular2. (Plural ) Verb plural

eg. by43421

ADJ

peaceful means.

++

+

meansadjby

NounofmeansbyN

321

=

by{

Adj

this means =

by means of4444 34444 21

Noun

nsnegotiatiopeaceful =

He succeeded by this means (or, by thesemeans) in passing the examination.

His means aresmall, but he has incurred no debt.

To incur debt = / To incur no debt =

38. Certain Collective Nouns, though singular in form, are always used as plurals; as,

. Singular Plural Poultry =

+ Plural Verbcattle = vermin =


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gentry = Those poultry aremine.

Whose arethese cattle??Vermin destroyour property and carry disease.

To carry disease =

Who arethosepeople(=persons)??There are few gentry in this town.

Note.As a Common Noun people means a nation and is used in both singular and plural; as,

--Common Noun people / Singular Plural

a person > people = People = nation, race = A people = ,

The peoplesof Cambodia, VN, and Loas.

The Japanese are ahard-workingpeople.

There are many differentpeoplein Europe.

Europe

39. A Compound Noun generally forms its plural by adding s to the principle word; as,

. -s SINGUL R PLUR L

Commander-in-chief = > Commanders-in-chiefEditor = > Editor-in-chief = Coat-of-mail = > Coats-of-mailSon-in-law = > Sons-in-lawDaughter-in-law > Daughters-in-law

Step-son = > Step-sonsMaid-servant = > maid-servantsMan-servant = > men-servantsPasser-by = > passers-byLooker-on = , > lookers-onMan-of-war = > men-of-warWe say spoonfuls and handfuls, because spoonful and handfulare regarded as one word.

spoonfuls handfuls spoonful handful

A spoonful = ()A spoonful of +

321

Sth

Noun


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eg. A spoonful of rice = A handful =

A handful of +321

Sth

Noun = sth =

A handful of people = He threw a handful of flattened rice into the air.

43421

ADJ

flattenedrice = To flatten =

threw into the air = into the air = ()

To regard = Note that the Proper Nouns Brahmanand Mussulmanare not compounds of man; therefore their

plurals are Brahmansand Mussulmans.

Brahman MussulmanmanBrahman Brahmans Mussulmans

40. Many nouns taken from foreign languages keep their original plurals forms; as,

. From Latin

--Erratum = ()

SINGUL R PLUR LErratum > Errata

Curriculum= > CurriculaMedium = , (, , .....) > MediaSymposium= > SymposiaMemorandum > Memranda= , , Formula > Formulas/ formulae = Terminus > termini/ terminuses = ()Index > Indexes=

> Indexes / indices = Radius > Radii= From Greek

--SINGUL R PLUR Laxis > axes= , basis > bases = analysis > analyses= parenthesis > parentheses= hypothesis > hypotheses= phenomenon > phenomena=


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criterion > criteria= From Italian

--Bandit > banditti, (or bandits) = From French

--Madame (madam) > Mesdames

Monsieur > messieurs

From Hebrew

HebrewCherub > cherubim (or cherubs) = ()seraph > seraphim (or seraphs) = 41. Some nouns taken from foreign languages keep their original plural form; as,

. Somewhat (adv) = Different =

SINGUL R PLUR LBrother brothers, sons of the same parent.

brethren, members of a society or a community.

brethren society = //community =

Cloth > cloths, kinds or pieces of cloth

> clothes, garments =

garment (n) = garment factory =

Die > dies, stamps for coining.

, coining =

> dice, small cubes used in games.

/

Index > indexes, tables of contents to books

, contents = , , a gain of salt = a gain of sand =

Fine grains = Gun powder = Index > indices, signs used in algebra.


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, Penny > pennies, number of coins

() , > pence, amount in value.

The pen cost s few pence.

()I have a few pennies. ()42. Some nouns have two meanings in the singular but only one in the plural.

. singular PluralSINGUL R PLUR L

Light: (1) radiance; / Lights: Lamps(2) a lamp.

People: (1) nation; Peoples: nations(2) men and women.

Powder: (1) dust; Powders: doses of medicine.(2) a dose of medicine in fine grains like dust.

() ( () ()

dose = medicine = a grain of salt = a grain of sand = fine grains = Gun powder =

Practice: (1) habit; Practices: habits(2) exercise of a profession.

// Exercise (n) = , , eg. The exercise of ones rights and freedoms.

/Profession (n) = Practice/Practices (n) = ()Practice (n) = eg. The practice of law =

to practice law = The practice of medicine = to practice medicine = /

43. Some nouns have one meaning in the singular, two in the plural.

.


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SINGUL R PLUR LColour: : hue Colours: (1) hues: / ,

eg. The people of all colours.

/(2) the flag of a regiment.

(2) eg. To salute the colours. /Custom: habit= Customs: (1) habits The custom of doing sth =

(2) duties levied on imports.

to levy duties/taxes on sth = /

eg. I like the custom of giving presents at

Christmas.

Christmas

taxes:eg. to pay customs on sth.

()

Effect: result, Effect: (1) result: /The effect of sth on sth

= ,

eg. Long term effects:

(2) Personal property or possessions.

to effect = /

Manner: method: Manners: (1) methods:

In aparticularmanner:/eg. in a

43421

ADJ

alprofession manner.

He takes photograph in a professional

manner.

Professional manners in running business.()To run business: /

(2) conduct:,To have no manner: eg. He has no manners at all.

To have good manners.

To have bad manners.Moral: a moral lesson = Morals (1) moral lessons: The moral is (that) quarrel doesnt pay.

(2) conduct:


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Noun + of loose morals

To have no morals:

Moral (n) = /

eg. She is a woman44 344 21

PherasePrep.

moralslooseof .

Number: a quantity of people on things: Numbers: (1) quantities: A number of + Noun = eg. A number of people = The number of sth = sth

(2) verses: ( )

Pain: suffering: Pains: (1) sufferings: eg. To feel no pain.

= ()

Back pain =

eg. The pain of being insulted.

Chest pains = (2) care, exertion:

To be at pains to do sth (Expression)

To take great pains to do sth (Expression)

= / Premise:proposition: Premises: (1)propositions:On the premise that

/On the premise of

(2) building:

eg. The company is looking for large

premises.

No toxic substances are allowed on the

premises.

Quarter: fourth part: Quarter: (1) fourth parts: (2) lodgings: ,

Speculate: sight: Speculates: (1) sights (2) glasses:Letter: (1) letter of the alphabet: Letters: (1) letters of the alphabet; ()

eg. Write your name in capital letters.

(2) epistle (2) epistle; ,(Singular)


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(Plural)eg. Her mother send her a long epistle every

month.

(3) literature

Ground (1) Earth: Grounds (1) enclosed land attached to house. eg. The house has extensive grounds.

() School grounds =

(2) reason: (2) reasons:(3) dregs:, (. , , ,....)

Ground

for sth

=

for doing sth to do sth

To have ground for sth = There are for doing sth to doing sth To have no ground for sth = There are for doing sth to doing sth

eg. You have no grounds for complaint. They had no grounds to arrest him. Correct behaviour =

moralgoodhaveTo

mannerhaveTo

mannergoodhaveTo

=

44. Some nouns have different meanings in the singular and the plural.

. / SINGUL R PLUR L

Advice: counsel. , Advices: information. ( , )

To followsbs advice =

To take

We received advices that goods had been dispatched.


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To dispatch =

Air: atmosphere. , Airs: affected manners. ()

To go out for fresh air. Air pollution = in/into the air = To fire a shot in/into the air. To put on airs = /

Good: benefit, well-being.

, , Goods: merchandise.

Well-being (n) = For the good of= //.....You must work for the good of the nation.

/

Compass: extent, range. , Compasses: an instrument for drawing circles.Sth is beyond the compass of ones understanding.

sb Extent (n) = , / Range (n) = , A pair of compasses =

An instrument for drawing circles =

Respect: regard. Respects: compliments. ,

eg. Inregard

respect

that

this= /

eg.Convey

Givemy

regards

respectsto your family.

/To convey (vt) =

Physic: medicine. () Physics: natural science. Iron: a kind of metal.

() a kind of =

Irons: fetters. ()

Force: strength. Forces: troops. ,

police

securityforces =


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45. Letters, figures and other symbols are made plural by adding an apostrophe and s; as,

. Letters (), Figures () Plural Apposrophe s

Letters There are two es. (Plural)

Letter e LetterThere are two es.

Plural s apostrophe s

NOT: There are two es.

There is one e.

****PLURAL (Figure = )In the 1990s. (1990-1999)

In the 1990s. /****Abbreviations = (Plural )NGO (Singular) > NGOs / NGOs (Plural)

MP (Singular) > MPs (Plural)

NGO = Non=Government Organization : MP = Member of Parliament : /

There are more es than as in this page.

e aDont your isand cross your ts. = Make clear in every detail sth which may be obvious

already. = / Have you got my point?If so, there is no need for me to dot the is and cross the ts.

If so = If you have got my point.

?

To make sth clear = Obvious (adj) = ,

There is no need for sb to do sth. sb eg. There is no need for you to be so angry.

Add two 5s and four 2s.

46. It is usual to say

. /The Miss Smiths. (Singular, Miss Smith.)

47. Abstract Nouns have no plural. They are uncountables.

. Hope = ,Charity = ,Love = ,


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Kindness = .When such words do appear in the plural, they are used as countables; as

Countable

( Plural)

Fire = A fire broke out there last night.

(*** A fire fires Singualr Plural Fires )

Break out = (***

Fire a s Fire)

(***Uncountable Plural)Cambodias waters. Provocation(s) = Armed provocations =

Flood > Floods ()Cloud > Clouds

Sky > Skies

Difficulty > Difficulties,etc.

(***Plural )Provocations = instances or cases of provocation.

( ) Kindnesses = acts of kindness.=

Names of substances are also uncountables and are not therefore used in the pural.

Plural

Therefore (adv) = , Copper = Iron = Tin = Wood =

When such words are used in the plural, they become countables with changed meanings; as,

Plural


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Coppers = copper coins = Iron = fetters = Tins = cans made of tin = Woods = forests =

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