Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 79 · B1

Singular and plural

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.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 35 minutes

In this lesson

Two-part things: trousers, glasses, scissorsA2 screens of questions
Words ending in -s that are singularB2 screens of questions
Group nouns: family, team, governmentC3 screens of questions
person and peopleD1 screen of questions
Money, time and distance as one thingE1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 5

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

Being plural, they need 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.
  • My old specs are scratched. I'm getting a new pair of glasses.

Point A · Exercise 79.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box. Each word is used once.

Use these

aaredoesn'tdon'tglassesitpairsomethem

  1. Example

    I can't read the menu without my glasses.

    AnswerI can't read the menu without my glasses.

  2. The shorts you got me fit. They're far too tight.

  3. The coat you got me fit. It's far too big.

  4. I need scissors to open this parcel.

  5. Where are my binoculars? Have you moved ?

Point A · Exercise 79.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box. Each word is used once.

Use these

aaredoesn'tdon'tglassesitpairsomethem

  1. Mum bought me a of tights for the school concert.

  2. Where my sunglasses? I had them a minute ago.

  3. I bought Grandad pair of pyjamas for his birthday.

  4. Economics is a mystery to me. I've never understood .

Point B of 5

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.

Point B · Exercise 79.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using a word from section B (news, means, series, species).

  1. Example

    Turn the radio up. It's the news.

    AnswerTurn the radio up. It's the news.

  2. In the countryside, the car is often the only of transport.

  3. Several British TV have been remade for American audiences.

  4. The red squirrel is a protected in Britain.

  5. The council has organised a of public meetings about the new bypass.

Point B · Exercise 79.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using a word from section B (news, means, series, species).

  1. The from the hospital was better than we had feared.

  2. How many of butterfly are there in Britain?

  3. There was no signal, so we had no of calling for help.

Point C of 5

Group nouns: family, team, government

A few singular nouns regularly take a plural verb:

audience, committee, company, family, firm, government, staff, team

Each one is a group of people. Speakers often picture the members (they) rather than the unit (it), and the verb turns plural to match. 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.

Point C · Exercise 79.3 · part 1 of 3

Choose the correct form of the verb, singular or plural. In three sentences, either form is possible.

  1. Example

    Athletics is (is / are) Jess's favourite sport.

    AnswerAthletics is Jess's favourite sport.

  2. My new pyjamas (doesn't / don't) fit very well.

  3. The police (want / wants) to speak to anyone who saw the fight.

  4. Physics (was / were) the subject I was worst at.

  5. We loved Cork. The people (is / are) so friendly.

Point C · Exercise 79.3 · part 2 of 3

Choose the correct form of the verb, singular or plural. In three sentences, either form is possible.

  1. England (is / are) playing Wales on Saturday. Are you watching?

  2. (Does / Do) the police know who did it?

  3. My family (live / lives) in Swansea.

  4. Most people (like / likes) chocolate.

Point C · Exercise 79.3 · part 3 of 3

Choose the correct form of the verb, singular or plural. In three sentences, either form is possible.

  1. I always take the car to that garage. The staff there (is / are) very helpful.

Point D of 5

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.

Point D · Extra practice

Put in person or people.

  1. Our postman is a lovely .

  2. Our neighbours are lovely .

  3. A lot of don't know how to change a tyre.

Point E of 5

Money, time and distance as one thing

An amount of money, a stretch of time or a distance counts as one thing, so the verb is singular:

  • 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.

Point E · Exercise 79.4

Complete the sentences using is or isn't and a phrase from the box.

Use these

a long waya lot to carryenough moneylong enoughtoo cold

  1. Example

    Two hundred miles is a long way to drive without a break.

    AnswerTwo hundred miles is a long way to drive without a break.

  2. Twelve degrees for a swim in the sea, if you ask me.

  3. Thirty pounds for a weekend in London. You'll need at least a hundred.

  4. Two days to see Edinburgh properly. You need at least four.

  5. Twenty-five kilos for one person. Let me take one of the bags.

Put it together · Exercise 79.5 · part 1 of 2

Are these sentences correct? Write the corrected sentence, or write OK if it is already correct.

  1. Example

    Two hours are a long time to wait for a bus.

    Two hours is a long time to wait for a bus.

    AnswerTwo hours is a long time to wait for a bus.

  2. Example

    The team want to buy a new minibus.

    OK

    AnswerThe team want to buy a new minibus.

  3. Grandad was wearing a red trousers.

  4. Our new neighbours are really friendly persons.

  5. I need some new jeans.

  6. A police stopped me for speeding on the M62.

Put it together · Exercise 79.5 · part 2 of 2

Are these sentences correct? Write the corrected sentence, or write OK if it is already correct.

  1. This shorts is too small for me.

  2. The government has promised to build more houses.

  3. The kestrel is very common species.

  4. Six weeks are a long time to be off work.

Lesson 79 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Noun + noun (a bus driver / a headache)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Two-part things: trousers, glasses, scissors–Not checkedB. Words ending in -s that are singular–Not checkedC. Group nouns: family, team, government–Not checkedD. person and people–Not checkedE. Money, time and distance as one thing–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked