How to use singular, plural, and collective nouns in English. For more English tutorials, please visit: https://www.thelecturette.com

1. Singular, Plural, and
Collective Nouns

2. Singular Nouns
• Singular nouns
– are nouns used in particular meanings in
the singular with a determiner, like count
nouns.
– are not used in the plural with the same
meaning.
– are normally used with ‘the’ because they
refer to things that are unique.

3. Singular Nouns
• Examples
air daytime moon sky
country end past soon
future sea wind dark
The sun was shining.
I am scared of the dark.

4. Singular Nouns
• Other singular nouns are normally used with
‘a’ because the refer to things that we usually
talk about one at the time.
bath go ride snooze
chance jog run start
drink move shower walk
I went upstairs and had a wash.
Why don’ t we go outside and have a
smoke?

5. Plural Nouns
• Plural nouns
– are used in particular meanings in the
plural with or without determiners, like
count nouns.
– are not used in the plural with the same
meaning.
His clothes look terribly dirty.
Troops are being sent in today.

6. Plural Nouns
• Some plural nouns are always used with
determiners.
activities feelings pictures travels
authorities likes sights
I went to the pictures with Tina.
You hurt his feelings.

7. Plural Nouns
• Some plural nouns are use without
determiners.
airs goods riches
expenses refreshments
Refreshments are available inside
They have agreed to pay for travel and
expenses.
Note: ‘Police’ is a plural noun but does not end in ‘s’.
The police were informed immediately.

8. Single Items with Two Linked
Parts
• Some nouns refer to single items that have
two linked parts.
glasses pajamas scaled
jeans trousers scissors
tights shears tweezers
She was wearing brown trousers.
These scissors are sharp.

9. Single Items with Two Linked
Parts
• You can use ‘a pair of’ to make clear you are
talking about one item, or a number with
‘pairs of’ when you are talking about several
items.
I was sent out to buy a pair of scissors.
Liza had given me three pairs of jeans.
Note: You also use ‘a pair of’ with words such as
‘gloves’, ‘shoes’, and ‘socks’ that you often talk about
in twos.

10. Nouns that Refer to a Group
• Some nouns refer to a group of people or
things.
• The same form can be used with singular or
plural verbs because you can think of the
group as a unit or as individuals.
• You can use singular or plural pronouns to
refer back to them.
• These nouns are called ‘collective nouns’.

11. Nouns that Refer to a Group
• Examples
army enemy group
staff audience family
team committee government
Our little group is complete again.
The largest group are the boys.

12. Nouns that Refer to a Group
• The names of many organizations and sports
teams are also collective nouns but are used
with plural verbs in spoken English.
The BBC is showing the program on
Saturday.
The BBC are planning to use a new satellite.
Liverpool is leading 1-0.
Liverpool are attacking again.

13. Questions?