Some nouns that look singular take a plural verb, some that look plural take a singular verb, and sums of money, periods of time and distances are treated as one thing.
A Two-part things: trousers, glasses, scissors
We use a plural noun for some single things that have two parts:
trousers (two legs), jeans, shorts, tights, pants, pyjamas (top and bottom), glasses, binoculars, scissors
These words are plural, so they take a plural verb: My jeans are too tight. (not My jeans is)
You can also use a pair of with them: a pair of jeans, a new pair of glasses (not a jeans, not a glasses).
- My jeans are too tight. I blame the washing machine.
- Those are smart trousers.
- That's a smart pair of trousers.
- I need some new glasses.
- I need a new pair of glasses.
B Words ending in -s that are singular
Some nouns end in -ics but are not normally plural: athletics, gymnastics, economics, politics, physics, electronics, maths. They take a singular verb: Politics is a dirty game. (not Politics are)
news is not plural either: The news is good.
Some words ending in -s can be singular or plural, with no change in form:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| a means of transport | many means of transport |
| a TV series | two TV series |
| a species of bird | 600 species of bird |
- Maths was never my strong point.
- I've got some news for you, and it's good news.
- The bike is a cheap means of transport.
- There are over 400 species of spider in Britain.
C Group nouns: family, team, government
Some singular nouns are often used with a plural verb:
audience, committee, company, family, firm, government, staff, team
These are all groups of people. We often think of them as a number of people (they) rather than one thing (it), so we often use a plural verb. A singular verb is also correct (The government has ...).
The same goes for the names of companies and sports teams: Tesco have opened a new store. Wales are playing France on Saturday.
police always takes a plural verb: The police are looking into it (not The police is). For one person we say a police officer, a policeman, a policewoman (not a police).
- The government have announced a rise in fuel duty.
- The staff at the surgery are fed up with the new booking system.
- Wales are playing France on Saturday.
- The police are questioning two men, but they haven't charged anyone yet.
- A police officer came round to take a statement.
D person and people
We do not often use the plural persons. We normally use people, which is a plural word.
She's a kind person. but They're kind people. (not kind persons)
Because people is plural, the verb is plural too: Many people don't have a garden. (not Many people doesn't)
- Our postman is a lovely person.
- Our neighbours are lovely people.
- A lot of people don't know how to bleed a radiator.
E Money, time and distance as one thing
We think of a sum of money, a period of time or a distance as a single thing, so we use a singular verb:
- Ten thousand pounds was taken from the safe. (= it) (not were taken)
- Four years is a long time to wait. (not Four years are)
- Three miles isn't far to walk.
- Ten thousand pounds was taken from the safe.
- Four years is a long time to wait for a hip operation.
- Three miles isn't far to walk.
Exercises
79.1 Complete the sentences. Choose from the box. Each word is used once.
aaredoesn'tdon'tglassesitpairsomethem
I can't read the menu without my glasses.
I can't read the menu without my glasses.
The shorts you got me fit. They're far too tight.
The shorts you got me don't fit. They're far too tight.
The coat you got me fit. It's far too big.
The coat you got me doesn't fit. It's far too big.
I need scissors to open this parcel.
I need some scissors to open this parcel.
Where are my binoculars? Have you moved ?
Where are my binoculars? Have you moved them?
Mum bought me a of tights for the school concert.
Mum bought me a pair of tights for the school concert.
Where my sunglasses? I had them a minute ago.
Where are my sunglasses? I had them a minute ago.
I bought Grandad pair of pyjamas for his birthday.
I bought Grandad a pair of pyjamas for his birthday.
Economics is a mystery to me. I've never understood .
Economics is a mystery to me. I've never understood it.
79.2 Complete the sentences using a word from section B (news, means, series, species).
Turn the radio up. It's the news.
Turn the radio up. It's the news.
In the countryside, the car is often the only of transport.
In the countryside, the car is often the only means of transport.
Several British TV have been remade for American audiences.
Several British TV series have been remade for American audiences.
The red squirrel is a protected in Britain.
The red squirrel is a protected species in Britain.
The council has organised a of public meetings about the new bypass.
The council has organised a series of public meetings about the new bypass.
The from the hospital was better than we had feared.
The news from the hospital was better than we had feared.
How many of butterfly are there in Britain?
How many species of butterfly are there in Britain?
There was no signal, so we had no of calling for help.
There was no signal, so we had no means of calling for help.
79.3 Choose the correct form of the verb, singular or plural. In three sentences, either form is possible.
Athletics ___ (is / are) Jess's favourite sport.
is
Athletics is Jess's favourite sport.
My new pyjamas ___ (doesn't / don't) fit very well.
My new pyjamas don't fit very well.
The police ___ (want / wants) to speak to anyone who saw the fight.
The police want to speak to anyone who saw the fight.
Physics ___ (was / were) the subject I was worst at.
Physics was the subject I was worst at.
We loved Cork. The people ___ (is / are) so friendly.
We loved Cork. The people are so friendly.
England ___ (is / are) playing Wales on Saturday. Are you watching?
England are playing Wales on Saturday. Are you watching?
___ (Does / Do) the police know who did it?
Do the police know who did it?
My family ___ (live / lives) in Swansea.
My family live in Swansea.
Most people ___ (like / likes) chocolate.
Most people like chocolate.
I always take the car to that garage. The staff there ___ (is / are) very helpful.
I always take the car to that garage. The staff there are very helpful.
79.4 Complete the sentences using is or isn't and a phrase from the box.
a long waya lot to carryenough moneylong enoughtoo cold
Two hundred miles is a long way to drive without a break.
Two hundred miles is a long way to drive without a break.
Twelve degrees for a swim in the sea, if you ask me.
Twelve degrees is too cold for a swim in the sea, if you ask me.
Thirty pounds for a weekend in London. You'll need at least a hundred.
Thirty pounds isn't enough money for a weekend in London. You'll need at least a hundred.
Two days to see Edinburgh properly. You need at least four.
Two days isn't long enough to see Edinburgh properly. You need at least four.
Twenty-five kilos for one person. Let me take one of the bags.
Twenty-five kilos is a lot to carry for one person. Let me take one of the bags.
79.5 Are these sentences correct? Write the corrected sentence, or write OK if it is already correct.
Two hours are a long time to wait for a bus.
Two hours is a long time to wait for a bus.
Two hours is a long time to wait for a bus.
The team want to buy a new minibus.
OK
The team want to buy a new minibus.
Grandad was wearing a red trousers.
Grandad was wearing red trousers.
Our new neighbours are really friendly persons.
Our new neighbours are really friendly people.
I need some new jeans.
I need some new jeans.
A police stopped me for speeding on the M62.
A police officer stopped me for speeding on the M62.
This shorts is too small for me.
These shorts are too small for me.
The government has promised to build more houses.
The government has promised to build more houses.
The kestrel is very common species.
The kestrel is a very common species.
Six weeks are a long time to be off work.
Six weeks is a long time to be off work.