Introduction of Noun and Errors in the use of Nouns
1.Common nouns are grouped into two broad classes countable nouns and uncountable nouns. Countable nouns are also called count nouns and uncountable nouns are also called non-count nouns.
Countable nouns
| Boy | Boys |
| Book | Books |
| cow | cows |
Uncountable nouns
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Milks | Milk |
| Equipments | Equipment |
Note: Uncountable nouns have no plural. But we can use some, much, little, large amount of, a lot of, lots of, plenty of, a good or great deal of, all, any, enough, no, this, my, our before uncountable nouns.
Furniture: Some furniture, All the furniture, enough furniture
Information: Much information, a lot of information
Money: A large amount of money, plenty of money,
Advice: Some advice, lots of advice
Error in the use of Nouns, Non-count nouns ending ‘s’
2. Some non-count nouns end in ‘s’ but are grammatically singular. They include names of some school, university, subject, physical activities, diseases and games.
Physical Activities: Athletes, Gymnastics,aerobics
Games: Billiards, Bowls, darts, dominoes, draughts.
Diseases: Mumps, Measles, shingles
School/ University: Mathematics, Civics, classics, economics, ethics, mechanics, physics, politics.
Note: News is another word that is used as singular
Examples:
1. Economics are a difficult subject. (Incorrect)
Economics is a difficult subject. (Correct)
2. Billiards are a very interesting game. (Incorrect)
Billiards is a very interesting game. (Correct)
3. These news are not so good. (Incorrect)
This news is not so good. (Correct)
Special Note:
If the above words are used in specific meaning they take plural verbs.
His mathematics is weak. (Incorrect)
His mathematics are weak. (Correct)
Plural Non-count Nouns
3.
a) The following commonly occurring Non-count nouns are always grammatically plural.
Congratulation✖️ Congratulations ✔️
Saving ✖️ Savings. ✔️
b) Nouns having two parts usually take plural verbs. They include instruments, garments and tools.
Instruments: Spectacles, Scales, Binoculars, Goggles, headphones, glasses.
Garments: Shorts, Pants, Jeans, Trousers, underpants, briefs,.
breeches.
Tools: Tongs, Pliers, Tweezers, Scissors, pincers, shears.
Examples:
1. The particular of the new teacher is not correct. (Incorrect)
The particulars of the new teacher are not correct. (Correct)
2. His goggles is old. (Incorrect)
His goggles are old. (Correct)
No ‘s’ please
4. Some nouns are used in the singular only. Don’t use ‘s’ with them.
Scenery, vacation, furniture, jewelry, knowledge, alphabet, clothing, etc
Solved Examples
1. The scenery of Kashmir are very beautiful. (Incorrect)
The scenery of Kashmir is very beautiful. (Correct)
2. My luggage were left at the waiting room. (Incorrect)
My luggage was left at the waiting room. (Correct)
3. His hair have turned white. (Incorrect)
His hair has turned white. (Correct)
4. I went home during winter vacations. (Incorrect)
I went home during winter vacation. (Correct)
5. There are some nouns that are not made plural by adding “s” to them. However, they are made plural by adding typical words before them. (Note them)
Examples:
| Words | Incorrect | Correct |
| Poetry | Poetries | Poems or pieces of poetry |
| Mischief | Mischiefs | Acts of mischief |
| Abuse | Abuses | Words of abuse |
Solved Examples:
1. Allama Iqbal wrote many poetries for children. (Incorrect)
Allama Iqbal wrote many poems for children. (Correct)
2. He did many mischiefs. (Incorrect)
He did many acts of mischief. (Correct)
3. He gave me many abuses. (Incorrect)
He gave me many words of abuse. (Correct)
Collective Nouns used as Plural
6. Some nouns are singular in form but are plural in use. Such as:
Cattle, people, sheep, gentry, poultry
Public, vermin, committee, police, folk, herd, audience.
Very Important Note:
Collective nouns crew, family, team, can take a singular or plural verb. Singular if we consider the word to mean a single group or unit.
Singular
1. Our team is the best of all. (Correct)
Plural
2. Our team are wearing their new jerseys. (Correct)
Examples
1. These cattle is mine. (Incorrect)
These cattle are mine. (Correct)
2. The vermins is swarming. (Incorrect)
The vermin are swarming. (Correct)
3. The old folk has gone. (Incorrect)
The old folk have gone.
Note: But a collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as whole and plural verbs when individuals are thought of.
Examples
1. The committee is divided on the issue. (Incorrect)
The committee are divided on the issue. (Correct)
(individual)
2. The jury have decided the case in his favour. (Incorrect)
The jury has decided the case in his favour. (Correct)
(As whole)
Nouns with the same form in singular or plural :
7. There are some nouns which have the same form for the plural as for singular.
| weight | Names of numbers | Names of animals |
| Stones (weight) | Brace (of birds) | Deer |
| Hundred (weight) | Hundred | Fish |
| Dozen | Sheep | |
| Yoke (of oxen) |
This deer ✔️
These deer ✔️
Nine brace of birds. ✔️
He weight ten stones and half. ✔️
Examples:
1. He haunted two deers in one shot. (Incorrect)
He haunted two deer in one shot. (Correct)
2. A pair of shoes are lost. (Incorrect)
A pair of shoes is lost. (Correct)
3. A series of lectures were delivered. (Incorrect)
A series of lectures was delivered. (Correct)
8. Some nouns, which take the plural form at ordinary times retain the singular form to express some specific quantity or number.
Examples:
1. He gave me a ten rupees note. (Incorrect)
He gave me a ten rupee note. (Correct)
2. I shall bring three feet rule. (Incorrect)
I shall bring a three foot rule. (Correct)
3. I like a six years old horse. (Incorrect)
I like a six year old horse. (Correct)
9. An amount + a singular verb
After an amount of money, a distance, a weight or length of time, we normally use singular verbs..
Examples:
1. Eight ponds seem a fair price. (Incorrect)
Eight ponds seems a fair price. (Correct)
2. Ninety kilo are too heavy for me to lift. (Incorrect)
Ninety kilo is too heavy for me to lift. (Correct)
3. A hundred meters are not far to swim. (Incorrect)
A hundred meters is not far to swim. (Correct)
10. We use plural nouns, verbs and pronouns with ‘a number of’, ‘a group of’.
A number of my friends are planning a holiday together. (Correct)
After the expression one of my/his/her, we use a plural noun and a singular verb.
One of my friends are coming to see me. (Incorrect)
One of my friends is coming to see me. (Correct)
Hopefully, your concept about Noun and Errors in the use of Nouns is clear now, This lecture is part of the whole series of English Grammar by Miss Nabila Gulzar, For Other Lectures Click Here also We have an Essay on every topic, Check the complete list here. If you are Studying in Matric Free Video Lectures of Maths, Physics and English are here, and if we got you covered for I.COM Business Maths also.
