INVARIABLE NOUNS

I. Nouns used in the plural:

1) tools, instruments, pieces of equipment consisting of two halves or parts:

e.g. scissors, pliers, binoculars, scales, pincers, handcuffs, glasses, spectacles, tongs, fetters, etc.

 

2) clothes:

e.g. shorts, pajamas, pants, underpants, jeans, knickers, tights, leggings, trunks, trousers, slacks, etc.

Note: these nouns are used either with a plural verb or with “these” or in the construction “a pair of … is … “or “two pairs of … are … “

e.g. The trousers are new.

This pair of trousers is new.

I’ve bought two pairs of jeans.

 

3 ) usedonly in the plural, with a plural verb, not with a numeral:

e.g. lodgings surroundings contents thanks

premises particulars traffic lights troops

goods outskirts stairs belongings

clothes foundations whereabouts savings

looks headquarters valuables oats

manners proceeds of arms riches

acoustics wages

 

II. Nouns plural in form and singular in meaning:

1) names of some games:

e.g. billiards, dominoes, draughts, darts, cards, bowls = > is

2) names of sciences or activities:

e.g. physics, mathematics, economics, classics, gymnastics, athletics, acoustics, linguistics, politics => is

Note: when the word of this type is not used to refer directly to a science, it takes a plural form and can be preceded by “these”

e.g. The acoustics in this room is very good. (акустика)

These acoustics are very good. (помещения)

III. Nouns plural in form which can be used both in the singular and plural:

e.g. a series – series (серия, ряд)

a species – species (порода, род)

a means – means (средство)

a works – works (= plant, factory)

an aurochs – aurochs (зубр)

a crossroads – crossroads (перекресток)

a barracks – barracks (казарма)

a Swiss – Swiss (швейцарец)

Note: “ mumps” (свинка), “measles” (корь), etc. are used with the singular verb

e.g. Measles is an infectious disease.

IV. Nouns singular in form but plural in meaning:

e.g. cattle, police, people, vermin, public, audience, gentry, poultry =>; are

Note: we should distinguish between 2 uses of “people”

e.g. Most people (persons) are good at heart.

Most peoples (races) have a country of their own.

V. Some nouns are used with a singular verb only:

e.g. information knowledge performance (работа)

progress fruit news

gallows summons hair => is; without “a”

money weather advice

furniture work spaghetti

Note: the article a/an is never used with the above mentioned words. But it’s possible to say: a piece/ a bit of … (news, information, etc), as well as in the plural: 2 good pieces of … (advice, news, etc).

 

VI. Singular expressions used with a plural verb:

a number of … the majority of …

a couple of … a group of …

a lot of + plural noun the rest of + plural noun

e.g. The majority disagree.

The rest of the members are ill.