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Nsfs2 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Plural or singular!

Hi,

While I have learned to say 'carpet factory,shoe factory,etc.',and not 'carpets factory, shoes factory,etc.', I sometimes come across phrases that use the plural instead of the singular,eg,'awards ceremony'?Could you explain why, please?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Thanks. It's a logical fact that a factory, by its industrial nature, produces many carpets or pairs of shoes; it's not set for making one unique item. On the other hand "ceremony" may be for handing in one award or many of them, so if it is the latter you say: "awards ceremony".

— Anonymous

  • Thanks.
  • It's a logical fact that a factory, by its industrial nature, produces many carpets or pairs of shoes; it's not set for making one unique item.
  • On the other hand "ceremony" may be for handing in one award or many of them, so if it is the latter you say: "awards ceremony".
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4 Answers
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nsfs2Hi,While I have learned to say 'carpet factory,shoe factory,etc.',and not 'carpets factory, shoes factory,etc.', I sometimes come across phrases that use the plural instead of the singular,eg,'awards ceremony'?Could you explain why, please?Thanks.
It's a logical fact that a factory, by its industrial nature, produces many carpets or pairs of shoes; it's n
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It's just one of those quirks of English. Most nouns used to modify another noun are singular. Of course the shoe store sells many types of shoes -- and if it there were only one kind of shoe, it would still sell them in pairs. You can assume that a carpet factory creates several different types of carpet.

There are a few words that do that the plural. "Sports" is the one I usually think
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Grammar GeekIt's just one of those quirks of English. Most nouns used to modify another noun are singular. Of course the shoe store sells many types of shoes -- and if it there were only one kind of shoe, it would still sell them in pairs. You can assume that a carpet factory creates several different types of carpet.There are a few words that do that the plural. "Sports"
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Award ceremony is also acceptable, but according to the COCA, it's not as common as the plural form.
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