Uncountable nouns ending in -s
Some nouns ending in -s are uncountable and followed by a singular verb
– e.g. maths, physics, genetics, aerobics, athletics, news.
– The news is bad, I’m afraid.
Nouns ending in -s that are always plural
Some nouns are always plural and are followed by a plural verb.
– e.g. clothes, glasses, jeans, trousers, pliers, scissors.
– These trousers don’t fit me.
To refer to a single item, use a pair of.
– I need a new pair of glasses.
Irregular plural forms
Some nouns have the same form in the singular and plural.
– e.g. aircraft, crossroads, series, sheep, species.
– There are many different species of dogs. This species is very rare.
Collective nouns
Some nouns can be used with a singular verb if we see them as a single unit, or a plural verb if we are referring to members of the group.
– e.g. the army, the family, the government, the media, the press.
– My family is very big. All my family are coming at the wedding.
These nouns only take a plural verb: cattle, the people, the police.