When should a noun be plural?
The answer seems obvious: when there are two or more nouns. However, there are cases that are not so obvious.
Compound phrases
It is common to forget the plural for phrases that are constructed from two or more singular nouns. For example, the old and new system(s) and the husband(s) of Mary and Alice.
By separating out the phrase, we can see that there are indeed two nouns. For example, the old system and the new system and Mary's husband and Alice's husband. Compounded phrases should be plural, even if both nouns in the phrase are singular.
By separating out the phrase, we can see that there are indeed two nouns. For example, the old system and the new system and Mary's husband and Alice's husband. Compounded phrases should be plural, even if both nouns in the phrase are singular.
Generality
Talking in general terms is common. For example, cats are cute. This does not mean that all cats are cute, but it is rather a general statement.
Most of the time, using plural is the best approach for generality. However, sometimes, singular is more suitable.
For example:
Most of the time, using plural is the best approach for generality. However, sometimes, singular is more suitable.
For example:
- It is unhelpful to compare a Chinese soldier to an American soldier.
- Using singular here clarifies that we are comparing one for one. Using plural may imply a group comparison.
- People who are abandoned in the desert will die.
- Using plural would be unsuitable here, because people cannot be abandoned in multiple deserts.
Plural possession
There is potential for confusion when multiple singular nouns each individually possess something. For example, the dogs wagged their tail(s). Should 'tail' be plural or singular?
The best approach is to use plural (though there is no fixed rule). This is because, if you use singular, it can imply that the subjects are collectively possessing the object.
For example:
The best approach is to use plural (though there is no fixed rule). This is because, if you use singular, it can imply that the subjects are collectively possessing the object.
For example:
- The students finished their assignments.
- This has two potential meanings: each student had one assignment, or each student had multiple assignments.
- The meaning can be clarified using its context.
- The students finished their assignment.
- This has only one meaning: all the students shared a single assignment.
