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Noun and Number

All of us know what is noun and what is number. But there are some issues in Noun and Number which makes us confused often. Lets discuss them

Some nouns always singular in number, so they take the singular verb

Scenery, Luggage, Information, Advice, Machinery, Stationary, Poetry, Issue (Children), Rice, Soap, Bread, Brick etc

(There are no plural forms for the above words)

Two cakes of Soap (Not Two Soaps)
Two Pieces of brick (Not Two Bricks)
☓ The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful
✔ The scenery of Kashmir is beautiful

Some nouns are always plural in number. So, they take a plural verb.

Alms, Thanks, Goods, Regards, Wishes, Proceeds, Premises, Credentials, Riches, Pants, Pantaloons, Jeans, Tights, Shorts, Pajamas, Scissors, Forceps, Spectacles, Binaculars ets

☓ Convey my regard and wishes to your parents
✔ Convey my regards and wishes to your parents
☓ I have never used such a scissors in my life
✔ I have never used such scissors in my life
✔ I have never used such a pair of scissors in my life

Some nouns appear plural. But they are singular in number. So we should take a singular verb

Wages, Summons, Gallows, News, Politics, Electronics, Billboards, Measles, Mathematics etc

☓ The court has issued two summons to the minister, but he hasn't turned up yet
✔ The court has issued two summonses to the minister, but he hasn't turned up yet
☓ I have a good news to tell you

Here there is no plural for News. We shouldn't use articles for these type of words.

✔ I have good news to tell you
✔ Measles is a disease (not are)

Some nouns appear singular but they are plural in number. So, they take a plural verb.

Cattle, Infantry, Police, Poultry, Swine, Artillery, Peasantry, Gentry etc

☓ This cattle is mine
✔ These cattle are mine

Some nouns can be used either as singulars or as plurals without changing their form

Sheep, Deer, Offspring, Species, Aircraft, Space Craft, Salmon, Yoke etc

☓ These are many sheeps in the fields
✔ There are many sheep in the fields

Formation of Plurals :

Boy ------------- Boys
Man ------------- Men
Tooth ------------- Teeth
Dog ------------- Dogs
Ox ------------- Oxen
Child ------------- Children
Belief ------------- Beliefs
Sheaf ------------- Sheaves
Leaf ------------- Leaves
Datum ------------- Data
Stratum ------------- Strata
Matrix ------------- Matrices
Brother ------------- Brothers
Brother - In - Law ------------- Brother - in - Laws ☓

Brothers - in - Law ✔

Man - Servant ------------- Men - Servants