Learn about English plurals having no singular forms with this comprehensive bilingual guide. Master exceptional plural-only nouns, discover correct grammatical usage, and avoid common sentence structure mistakes on English Grammar Blog.
ইংরেজি ব্যাকরণে এমন কিছু বিশেষ শব্দ বা nouns রয়েছে যেগুলি সবসময়ই শুধু plural form-এ ব্যবহৃত হয়। এই শব্দগুলিকে কোনো অবস্থাতেই একক বা singular form-এ ব্যবহার করা যায় না। আপনি যদি ইংরেজি লেখায় বা কথায় এই নিয়মগুলি ভুল করেন, তবে আপনার বাক্যগুলো ব্যাকরণগতভাবে ভুল বলে গণ্য হবে। সঠিক ব্যাকরণ আয়ত্ত করতে এবং অপ্রয়োজনীয় ভুল এড়াতে এই বিশেষ শব্দগুলোর সঠিক প্রয়োগ জানা আবশ্যক। অনেক সময় শিক্ষার্থীরা না বুঝে Uncountable Nouns used as Countable রূপেও এই শব্দগুলোর ভুল প্রয়োগ করে বসেন।
What Are Plurals Having No Singular Forms?
In English syntax and grammar, certain plural-only nouns lack a singular counterpart when carrying specific meanings. Using them without their final -s or -es changes their meaning or creates a direct grammatical error. Let us examine the complete list of these nouns along with correct and incorrect usage examples.
Common Examples of Plural-Only Nouns in Sentences
Below is a detailed breakdown of words that only exist in their plural form in specific contexts, organized to enhance your sentence structure mastery.
| Incorrect Sentence (Wrong) | Correct Sentence (Right) | Grammatical Context |
|---|---|---|
| She did not respond to his advance. | She did not respond to his advances. | Advances meaning romantic or friendly pursuit. |
| This is the worst event in the annal of our politics. | This is the worst event in the annals of our politics. | Historical records or chronicles. |
| We cannot fight without any arm. | We cannot fight without any arms. | Weapons for combat. |
| Reading is a basic of education. | Reading is one of the basics of education. | Fundamental principles. |
| Can I borrow your binocular? | Can I borrow your binoculars? | Optical viewing instrument. |
| He has put on his riding breech. | He has put on his riding breeches. | Riding trousers. |
| Let us play card. | Let us play cards. | Playing card game. |
| He bought a clipper. | He bought a pair of clippers. | Cutting tool requiring a pair modifier or plural. |
| Put on your cloth. | Put on your clothes. | Garments or attire. |
| Please accept my condolence. | Please accept my condolences. | Expressions of sympathy. |
| He began his day in a foreign country. | He began his days (his life) in a foreign country. | Period of life. |
| He has joined the armed force. | He has joined the armed forces. | Military personnel. |
| It was a forcep delivery. | It was a forceps delivery. | Medical surgical instrument. |
| He wears a glass for reading. | He wears glasses for reading. I need some new glasses. |
Eyewear or spectacles. |
| This is a frozen good. | These are frozen goods. | Merchandise or commodities. |
| He graduated with honour. | He graduated with honours. | Academic distinction. |
| He has started to write his memoir. | He has started to write his memoirs. | Autobiographical accounts. |
| They are fighting against an odd. | They are fighting against heavy odds. | Difficulties or chances. |
| As he earns a lot, his outgoing is heavy. | As he earns a lot, his outgoings are heavy. | Expenses or expenditures. |
| Put on your pant. | Put on your pants. | Trousers worn on lower body. |
| He took down my particular. | He took down my particulars. | Detailed personal information. |
| It hardly rains in this part. | It hardly rains in these parts. | Particular regions or localities. |
| Give my respect to your father. | Give my respects to your father. | Greetings or regards. |
| This scissor is very sharp. | These scissors are very sharp. I have bought a pair of scissors. |
Cutting tool with two blades. |
| I have bought a new short. | I have bought a pair of new shorts. | Short trousers. |
| The shopkeeper is now counting his taking. | The shopkeeper is now counting his takings. | Money received from business sales. |
| I am not on a good term with her. | I am not on good terms with her. | Relationship status. |
| They live in the tropic. | They live in the tropics. | Tropical regions of the Earth. |
| Father bought me a trouser. | Father bought me some trousers. Father bought me a pair of trousers. |
Garment for lower body. |
How to Identify Plural-Only Nouns Correctly
Recognizing these words requires looking at their semantic category. Items with dual symmetrical parts (such as scissors, binoculars, and trousers) or abstract nouns denoting business earnings (such as takings and outgoings) nearly always demand a plural verb and plural ending. You should also watch out for subtle grammatical exceptions where modifying phrases like "a pair of" can precede the plural noun to indicate singular quantity.
Key Takeaways
- Certain English nouns only exist in their plural form and cannot take a singular structure.
- Clothing with two legs (like pants, trousers, shorts) and dual-lens instruments (like binoculars, glasses) are always plural.
- Expressions like "a pair of" can be used before plural tools and garments when quantifying them as single items.
- Failing to include the final -s on words like condolences, annals, or outgoings creates ungrammatical sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are words that only have plural forms?
Words that only have plural forms are nouns that lack a singular form in specific contexts, such as scissors, binoculars, trousers, condolences, and annals. They always take plural verb agreements or require "a pair of" when measured individually.
Can you say "a trouser" or "a scissor" in English?
No, saying "a trouser" or "a scissor" is grammatically incorrect. You must use trousers or scissors, or phrase them as "a pair of trousers" and "a pair of scissors".
Why do some nouns only exist in the plural form?
Many of these nouns represent objects made of two corresponding parts joined together or abstract phenomena like financial takings, historical annals, and heavy odds that historically evolved and remain fixed in plural syntax.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of plural-only nouns! Translate or correct this sentence in the comments below: "Father bought me a new trouser and a sharp scissor." Drop your answers and explore more valuable grammar guides on English Grammar Blog today!