Certain English nouns only have a plural form. The form is always plural. Never singular.
There are 3 types of nouns where the form is always plural:
- Certain articles of clothing.
- Certain tools or instruments.
- Other types.
Let’s look at each type in detail.
Certain articles of clothing
The following articles of clothing only have a plural form:
trousers
knickers
pyjamas
shorts
tights
pants
Examples:
I like your trousers.
I like your trouser.
![shorts](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/shorts.jpg)
Where are my shorts?
Where are my short?
Where is my short?
Certain tools and instruments.
The following tools and instruments only have a plural form:
headphones
scissors
sunglasses
binoculars
glasses
Examples:
Can I borrow your headphones?
Can I borrow your headphone?
![man sunglasses](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/man-sunglasses-feature-400x224.jpg)
Where did you buy your sunglasses?
Where did you buy your sunglass?
“pair of”
We use the following structure for ONE unit (singular) of the clothes and tools previously mentioned:
“pair of” + noun
Examples:
I need a pair of shorts.
I need a short.
I need a shorts.
![pair of glasses](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/glasses.jpg)
I only have one pair of glasses.
I only have one glass.
I only have one glasses.
“pairs of”
We use the following structure for several units (plural):
“pairs of” + noun
Examples:
![3 pairs of shorts](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/shorts-3pairs.jpg)
I am going to buy 3 pairs of shorts.
I am going to buy 3 shorts.
![pairs of tights](https://www.crownacademyenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/stockings.jpg)
Here are lots of pairs of tights.
Other nouns with only a plural form
belongings
Meaning: Personal things that belong to you. (bag, hat, glasses, scarf)
Example:
Teacher: Do not leave your belongings in the classroom.
savings
Meaning: Money in your bank account. You are saving the money for the future.
Example:
I spent my savings on a new car.
clothes
Meaning: General word for a collection of articles of clothing.
Example:
His clothes are dirty.
stairs
Example:
To go to the first floor, you can take the stairs.
More lessons
IELTS complete guide (WITH EXAMPLE QUESTIONS)
Past continuous tense – English grammar lesson
Countable and uncountable nouns | English grammar
Plural forms of English nouns
Modal verb COULD – Form, use and meaning
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