Grammar Rules: Singular and Plural Nouns

Questions and Answers

A singular noun takes a singular ______:

verb

The ______ remain the same in both singular and plural forms:

nouns

Collective nouns (e.g. team, family, herd) can be singular or ______, depending on the context:

plural

Singular subject pronouns take a singular ______:

verb Signup and view all the answers

Indefinite pronouns (e.g. someone, everyone, none) usually take a ______ verb:

singular Signup and view all the answers

Both are going to the movies is an example of a plural ______:

pronoun Signup and view all the answers

A singular noun refers to one person, place, thing, or ______

idea Signup and view all the answers

Verbs that agree with singular nouns are in the ______ form

singular Signup and view all the answers

A plural noun refers to more than one person, place, thing, or ______

idea Signup and view all the answers

Verbs that agree with plural nouns are in the ______ form

plural Signup and view all the answers

Singular nouns that end in -s are ______ and take a singular verb

singular Signup and view all the answers

Plural nouns that don't end in -s are ______ and take a plural verb

plural Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Singular and Plural Nouns

A singular noun takes a singular verb:
- One cat is sleeping on the bed.
- The dog runs quickly around the corner.
A plural noun takes a plural verb:
- The cats are sleeping on the bed.
- The dogs run quickly around the corner.
Some nouns remain the same in both singular and plural forms:
- Deer is/are found in the forest.
- Series is/are popular on Netflix.
Collective nouns (e.g. team, family, herd) can be singular or plural, depending on the context:
- The team is playing well today. (singular)
- The team are arguing with each other. (plural)

Subject Pronouns

Singular subject pronouns take a singular verb:
- I am going to the store.
- You are going to the party.
- He/She/It is studying for the exam.
Plural subject pronouns take a plural verb:
- We are going to the beach.
- They are playing soccer.
Indefinite pronouns (e.g. someone, everyone, none) usually take a singular verb:
- Someone is knocking on the door.
- Everyone is invited to the party.
However, some indefinite pronouns can be plural (e.g. both, few, many):
- Both are going to the movies.
- Few are attending the meeting.

Nouns and Verbs

A singular noun is paired with a singular verb in a sentence.
A plural noun is paired with a plural verb in a sentence.
Some nouns have the same form for both singular and plural forms.

Irregular Nouns

Collective nouns (e.g. team, family, herd) can be singular or plural depending on the context.
When a collective noun is thought of as a single unit, it takes a singular verb.
When a collective noun is thought of as individual members, it takes a plural verb.

Singular Subject Pronouns

Singular subject pronouns (I, you, he, she, it) take a singular verb in a sentence.

Plural Subject Pronouns

Plural subject pronouns (we, they) take a plural verb in a sentence.

Indefinite Pronouns

Most indefinite pronouns (e.g. someone, everyone, none) take a singular verb in a sentence.
Some indefinite pronouns (e.g. both, few, many) can be plural and take a plural verb in a sentence.

Singular and Plural Nouns in Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular Nouns

Refer to one person, place, thing, or idea
Examples: cat, city, teacher, happiness
Take a singular verb
Example sentences:
- The cat sleeps on the bed.
- The city is very big.

Plural Nouns

Refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea
Examples: cats, cities, teachers, happinesses
Take a plural verb
Example sentences:
- The cats sleep on the bed.
- The cities are very big.

Special Cases

Singular Nouns Ending in -s

Are singular and take a singular verb
Examples:
- The news is on at 10pm.
- The physics is my favorite subject.

Plural Nouns Not Ending in -s

Are plural and take a plural verb
Examples:
- The children are playing outside.
- The men are working hard.

Collective Nouns

Refer to groups of people, animals, or things
Examples: family, team, flock, herd
Can be singular or plural, depending on the context
If thought of as a single unit, take a singular verb
- The family is going on a trip.
If thought of as individual members, take a plural verb
- The family are all coming to the party.