Plural & singular

Question

When we say  'pants' it refers to one or more?Is it possible to say ' I bought a pants or  two pants' ?

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

bmojtabaWhen we say 'pants', does it refer to one or more?

It can be one or more pairs.

bmojtabaIs it possible to say 'I bought a pants" or "I bought two pants'?

No.

I bought a pair of pants.
I bought two pairs of pants.

Bmojtaba · Answer

Is it the same for all words that are indicated as [plural] in dictionary?? for instance the word 'goods' can  refer to one or more??

Anonymous · Answer

bmojtabaIs it the same for all words that are indicated as [plural] in dictionary?? for instance the word 'goods' can refer to one or more??

No? I am not 100% sure what the question was.

The plural form of most nouns is created simply by adding the letter s.
dog=dogs

There are several nouns that have irregular plural forms.
child=children

There are nouns that maintain their Latin or Greek form in the plural.
nucleus=nuclei

A handful of nouns appear to be plural in form but take a singular verb.
Example: The news is bad.

And another handful of nouns might seem to be singular in nature but take a plural form and always use a plural verb.
pants, scissors, glasses, etc...

I hope that somewhat answer your question.

RandomGuy · Answer

bmojtabaIs it the same for all words that are indicated as plural in dictionary?

A safer word is most.

bmojtabaFor instance, can the word 'goods' ~~can~~ refer to one or more?

Yes.

Fivejedjon · Answer

bmojtabaIs it the same for all words that are indicated as [plural] in dictionary?? for instance the word 'goods' can refer to one or more??

No. 'Goods', like 'clothes' and several other plural words always refer to more than one thing. If you want a singular, you have to find some alternative such as 'item' for 'goods or 'article of clothing' for 'clothes'..

Words such as 'Pants' and several other singular objects that can be preceded by 'a pair of' are different.

RandomGuy · Answer

Hmm. I have heard goods used to refer to one item. One of the definitions that my dictionary gives for the word is what has been promised or is expected, which doesn’t necessarily have to be several things.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Aspara GusHmm. I have heard goods used to refer to one item. One of the definitions that my dictionary gives for the word is what has been promised or is expected, which doesn’t necessarily have to be several things.

You are right.

However, I think that if you 'deliver the goods', the idea behind it is that you do what is promised If a delivery man arrives with a single book, he would not normally be 'delivering the goods'. I think that if I order a single product, I am unlikely to ask "When will the goods be delivered?"

My use of the word think indicates my lack of certainty here.

Plural & singular

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions