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Noun : Noun is nothing but the name of a person , place or thing. In other words Noun can be said to be a naming word. Nouns are of mainly five kinds.
| 1. Common Noun | Man, student, docter, boy, girl, etc. |
| 2. Proper Noun | Mt. Everest, Mumbai, Rakesh, etc. |
| 3. Collective Noun | Committee, band, audience, etc. |
| 4. Abstract Noun | Hunger, honesty, bravery, etc. |
| 5. Material Noun | Gold, silver, water, air, sand, etc |
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
There are two types of Noun : Countable and Uncountable Noun
1.Countable Noun - These Nouns can be counted . It can take both singular and plural verb accordingly.Many, few, a number of , A , An , The are used with them.
example:
(a) I saw seven stars.(✓)
(b) They found a puppy(✓).
(c) My friend has many books.(✓)
(d) The number of people we need is six.(✓)
(e) A number of books are available here.(✓)
Note : A number of is followed by a plural verb.
2.Uncountable nouns - These Nouns can not be counted. It only takes singular verb. Much, Quantity of, Little, The are used with them. (Use of A and An are avoided with uncountable Nouns)
example:
(a) All Furniture are stylish.(✓)
(b) I do not have much time.(✓)
(c) All the sugar is wasted.(✓)
(d) I did much work.(✓)
(e) Little water.(✓)
Here is the list of some Countable and Uncountable Nouns
| Countable Nouns | Uncountable Nouns |
|---|---|
| Table, friend, second ,rupee, second, star, river, ocean, book, summons, teacher, animal, boy, etc. | Time, money, sugar, gold, silver, honesty, work, information, advice, luggage, furniture, fuel, evidence, equipment, vacation, mischief, water, etc. |
Grammar Rules
Rule 1 :
These Uncountable Nouns are only used as singular Noun. Articles A, AN can not be used with them. 'Much' or 'Some' are used in place of 'many' for denoting plural sense.
Advice, Stationary,Furniture, Scenery, Luggage, Baggage, Poetry, Hair, Information, Business, Mischief, Bread, Crockery, Postage, Knowledge, Wastage, Jewellery, Breakage, Equipment, Work, Word(message, promise), Fuel , Paper, Employment, Vacation , Evidence , Alphabet, Machinery etc.
examples:
(a) He found two important informations.(X)
👉"two pieces of information" is used .
(b) Shyam is true to his words. (X)
👉Word is used in place of words if it means promise or message.
(c) Police found two hairs at the crime scene.(X)
👉Two strands of hair should be used
(d) Rina Wrote all 26 Alphabets in examination.(X)
👉Alphabet means all 26 letters , no need to write Alphabets
(e) He gave me five advices.(X)
👉"five pieces of advice" is used
(f) Children are making mischiefs.(X)
👉'Mischief' in place of 'mischiefs' is used
(g)The Sceneries are very beautiful.(X)
👉The scenery is very beautiful.
➤These Nouns can be used as singular entities as follows:
(i) a piece of advice/ information/ bread/ evidence
(ii) an act of mischief
(iii) a loaf/slice of bread
(iv) a word of abuse
(v) an article of luggage/jewellery
(vi) a strand of hair
➤These Nouns can also be used as plural entities as follows:
(i) Two/all slices of bread
(ii) Two/all pieces of information
(iii) Much/some advice
(iv) A few articles of jewellery.
Rule 2 :
There are some Nouns which are always in plural form and are always used in the plural form. We can not remove "s" or "es" from them to make them singular.
Trousers, Archives , goggles, binoculars, spectacles, Alms, Thanks, Pliers, bellows ,troops, tactics, Proceeds, Riches, Contents, Credentials, Refreshments, Requirements, Customs , Shorts, Outskirts, particulars, shambles, surroundings, pincers, pajamas, eyeglasses, tongs, amends, embers, earnings, annals, orders, rations, assets, statistics (data) , quarters, , arrears, stairs, manners, Wages* etc.
examples:
(a) My scissor is missing (X)
👉Use "scissors are"
(b) Your new spectacle is amazing. (X)
👉Use "spectacles are"
(c) Alms are given to the beggars.(✓)
(d) Order for his transfer has been issued. (X)
👉Orders for his transfer have been issued.(✓)
(e) Where is my trousers.
👉Where are my trousers.
(f) The proceed is deposited in the bank.
👉The proceeds are deposited in the bank.
"Wages" is used in different forms for different meaning. Same word is used as a plural as well as a singular word. ( See Example)
examples:
(a) Wages of Germans labours are high.(✓)
👉Here Wages Means Money
(b) Wages of hard word is sweet.(✓)
👉Here Wages Means Result
Here is the List of some Nouns which have different meaning when used as plural
| Noun (Singular) |
Meaning | Noun (Plural) |
Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Colour | Colours | Flag |
| Water | Water | Waters | Sea |
| Quarter | One fourth | Quarters | Residence |
| Wood | Wood | Woods | Forest |
| Asset | Quality | Assets | Property |
| Sand | Sand | Sands | Land |
| Iron | Iron | Irons | Chains |
| Air | Air | Airs | Behaviour |
| Abuse | Bad Words | Abuses | Misuse |
| Advice | Suggestion | Advices | Bills |
| Wit | Ability to talk | Wits | Intelligence |
| Work | Work | Works | Literary Works |
| Arm | Body Part | Arms | Weapons |
| Good | Good | Goods | Things |
| Cloth | Cloth | Cloths | Dress |
| Pain | Pain | Pains | Try very hard |
| Letter | Letter | Letters | Literature |
| Manner | Manner | Manners | Way of behaving |
Rule 3 :
There are some Nouns which look like plural but are used as singular form.
News, Innings, Summons, Billiards, Athletics, Series , means (medium) etc.
examples:
(a) A summons has been sent to him. (✓)
(b) The News related to him is just a myth. (✓)
(c) Two summonses have been sent to him. (✓)
(d) A series of matches is being played. (✓)
(e) Three series of matches are being played. (✓)
(f) We should always use fair means.(✓)
Rule 4 :
There are some collective nouns which looks singular in form but are used as plural with plural verbs.
Cattle , people, majority, poultry, peasantry, folk, gentry, clergy, cavalry, infantry, children, police etc.
examples:
(a) Majority is in favour of the this decision.(X)
👉 use 'are' in place of 'is'
(b) Cattle are grazing . (✓)
(c) Gentry have arrived at the ceremony. (✓)
(d) Police have arrested the criminals. (✓)
NOTE : Though "People" denotes plural noun "Peoples" is used for the people of different races.
Rule 5 :
There are some collective nouns which are used as singular when they are used as a single body, or a group and not as members. But when we talk about the individual members of that group plural verb is used.
Committee, audience, team, jury, family, mob, crowd, police, board, staff, public etc
(a) The committee has taken the decision unanimously. (✓)
(b) The committee are divided on this matter. (✓)
(c) The police has become insensitive. (✓)
(d) The audience was surprised by the amazing show last night.(✓)
(e) The audience are requested to take their seats. (✓)
(f) The team are wearing their jersey. (✓)
Rule 6 :
Deer, fish, sheep, aircraft, species, score, offspring are some nouns which are expressed as singular or plural only by the use of verbs. They have same form in singular and plural meaning.
examples:
(a) Five sheeps are grazing in the field.(X)
👉use sheep in place of sheeps.
(b) There are two fish in aquarium.(✓)
(c) There are many fishes in a river.(✓)
👉Here fishes mean fish of different species and kind.
Rule 7 :
Some nouns ending in 's' or 'es' are used with singular verb.
A
Names of the subjects or branches or studies : Mathematics, Economics, Statistics, Politics, Physics , Ethics etc. are used with singular verb.
examples:
(a) Mathematics is an interesting subject.(✓)
(b) Politics is a dirty game. (✓)
(c) Statistics of this sheet are very complex (✓)
👉 When Statistics is used as a subject it is singular , but in last sentence Statistics means all data of the sheet, In that case plural verb is used.
B
Names of diseases : Mumps, Measles, Rickets, etc are used with singular verb.
C
Names of the country : Netherlands, United States, United Arab Emirates etc are used with singular verb.
D
Name of the books : Three Musketeers, Arabian Nights, War and Peace, Gulliver's travels etc. are used with singular verb.
Rule 8 :
Two adjectives denoting two different meaning qualifying the same noun are considered plural and are used with plural verbs. But when they convey same meaning they are considered singular.
examples:
(a) Cultural and social life in India are changing. (✓)
Rule 9 :
Hyphenated Noun is never used in plural form.
examples:
(a) There are two thousand-rupee notes (✓)
(b) We used to go to five-stars hotels during holidays.(X)
👉Use "five-star"
(c) He is a ten-year old boy. (✓)
(d) He is a ten years old boy. (✓)
👉Here 'ten years' is not hyphenated noun.
Rule 10 :
This is how Fractions are used with singular and plural verbs
examples:
(a) One and a half years are wasted. (✓)
(b) A year and a half is wasted. (✓)
Rule 11 :
If a same noun is repeated after preposition which is used before that preposition , singular form is used.
examples:
(a) Hour after hour has passed.(✓)
(b) Word for word is copied.(✓)
(c) Town after Town was destroyed.(✓)
(d) Inquiry was done from doors to doors.(X)
👉Only singular form is used . 'door to door'.
Some collective Nouns denoting groups
1.A bevy of girls, women, officers etc.
2.A bunch of grapes, keys etc.
3,A caravan of travellers, merchants, pilgrims.
4.A choir of singers.
5.A retinue of servants, attendants.
6.A Clump/Grove of trees.
7.A battery of guns/ artillery.
8.A cluster/ constellation /galaxy of stars
9.A flight of steps, stairs, birds.
10.A flock of geese, sheep, birds.
11.A pack of wolf, Eagle, Hounds, Cards
12.A litter of puppies
13.A sheaf of corn, grains, arrows,
14.A swarm of Ants, bees.
15.A colony of bacteria, ants
16.A volley of shots, bullets
17.A train of followers, carriages.
18.A regiment/ Army / Company of soldiers.
19.A murder of crows
20.A bale of cotton.
21.A brood of chickens.
22.A drove/ Stud of horses.
23.A School of whales.
24.A shoal of fish.
25.A pride of lions.
26.A posse of policemen
Use of apostrophe ('S) with nouns
(1) Apostrophe is used only with living being. In non-living things its usage is restricted to Time, Weight, Distance, Amount and Personified Nouns.
examples:
(a) The chair's leg. (The leg of the chair is used)
(b) Mohan's watch.
(c) A rupee's worth.
(d) A meter's length.
(e) A week's holiday.
(f) A day's leave
(g) A pound's weight
(h) Nature's law.
👉This example of personified noun
(i) Earth's atmosphere.
👉This is example of personified noun
(2) When a noun ends in a hissing sound (🔈 sss..) , apostrophe ('s) is not used only ( ' ) is used in the end.
examples:
(a) for peace' sake
(b) for jesus' sake
(c) Ganesh' book
(d) Girls' hostel
(e) john keats' peom
(3) With possessive pronouns his, hers, yours, ours, theirs, its apostrophe is not used
examples:
(a) Yours faithfully.(✓)
(b) Its color.(✓)
(c) It's yours.(✓)
👉 This is short form of "It is yours"
(4) With compound nouns apostrophe is used with the last word.
examples:
(a) Mother-in-law's demands.(✓)
(b) Commander-in-chief's orders.(✓)
(5) It is incorrect to use double apostrophe in any sentence.
examples:
My brother's friend's father is coming. (X)
👉It should be written as " Father of my brother's friend is coming."
(6) Anybody, nobody, everybody, somebody, someone, no one, everyone , anyone are used with apostrophe.
examples:
(a) My business is nobody's business.(✓)
(b) Everyone's concern.(✓)
(7) If 'else' is combined with the above mentioned pronouns , apostrophe is used with 'else'.
examples:
(a) This book is somebody else's.(✓)
(b) I follow your orders, no one else's.(✓)
(c) who else's book is this? (X)
👉In last sentence whose else should be used in place of who else's.
Some confusing Nouns and their meanings
There are many Nouns which we use in our daily life incorrectly. These are occasionally asked in examinations.
| 1.Floor and Ground : Floor is a artificial and man made surface which is generally inside a building, whereas Ground may be referred to a natural surface in a field or garden. example: (a) When he entered the room, he saw a snake on the ground (X) 👉Here 'floor' should be used in place of 'ground'. |
| 2.Talent and Skill : Talent is something which is inborn where as skill is learned from experience and practice. example: (a) The pilot showed a great talent by safely landing a damaged aircraft.(X) 👉Here 'skill' is used because flying an aircraft is not a talent but a skill which is learned from years or experience. |
| 3.Envy and Jealousy : Envy is a strong desire of having something which you don't have but someone else has , where as Jealousy is strong fear of losing something which you already have. example : (a) Ram felt envy when he saw a brand new car of his neighbor.(✓) 👉We can also use 'Ram got envious' in place of 'Ram felt envy'. (b) She gets jealous after seeing his husband with other beautiful women.(✓) |
Here is the list of some nouns which are used incorrectly
| Incorrect Use | Correct Use |
|---|---|
| Cousin Brother | Cousin |
| Cousin Sister | Cousin |
| Blunder Mistake | Blunder |
| Big Blunder | Blunder |
| Pickpocketer | Pickpocket |
| Strong Breeze | Breeze means Light and Gentle wind |
Masculine and Feminine Nouns
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Administratrix |
| Drone | Bee |
| Prosecutor | Prosecutrix |
| Author | Authoress |
| Emperor | Empress |
| Governor | Governess |
| Duke | Duchess |
| Buck | Doe |
| Earl | Countess |
| Bachelor | Maid |
| Drake | Duck |
| Widower | Widow |
| Hart | Roe |
| Fox | Vixen |
| Jack-ass | Jenny-ass |
| Lad | Lass |
| Boar | Sow |
| Sheep | Ewe |
| Monk | Nun |
| Colt | Filly |
| Gander | Goose |
| Horse | Mare |
| Bridegroom | Bride |
| Wizard | Witch |
Singular and Plural Nouns
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Handful | handsful |
| Spoonful | Spoonsful |
| Ox | Oxen |
| Memorandum | Memoranda |
| formula | Formulae |
| Commander-in-chief | Commander-in-chiefs |
| Locus | Loci |
| Radius | Radii |
| Man Lover | Man Lovers |
| Louse | Lice |
| Oasis | Oases |
| Datum | Data |
| Agendum | Agenda |
| Stratrum | Strata |
| Criterion | Criteria |
| Forum | Forums, Fora |
| Man Servant | Men Servants |
| Medium | Media |
| Syllabus | Syllabi |
| Alumnus | Alumni |
👉If you have gone through all the rules and concepts of this chapter , you can always practice questions based on this chapter for better understanding and clarity.