2017-10-25
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5. names of sciences:
physics, acoustics, linguistics, mathematics, politics,
statistics, phonetics, ethics, politics, tactics
e.g. Linguistics is taught at the faculty of foreign languages.
Statistics is the science about figures.
!!!However, when a word of this type is not used to refer directly to a science or used to denote personal progress in some activity, it takes a plural verb and can be preceded by ‘ these’:
e.g. The acoustics in this room are good.
These statistics are unreliable.
His phonetics are getting better.
6. Words used as singular with reference to one unit, or as plural with reference to more than one:
e.g. We must find a means (=a way) of solving the
problem.
There are several means (=ways) of solving it.
The following nouns can be used in the same way:
barracks headquarters
bellows innings
gallows kennels
gasworks series
golf – links species
7. The noun ‘ fruit ’ is used in the singular. It may be used in the plural form (fruits) to denote different kinds of fruit and in figurative meaning also (e.g. плоды труда):
e.g. 1. We have much fruit this year.
The fruit is very useful.
2. Many fruits ripen now: apples, pears, plums.
A pear and an apple are two fruits.
3. Be sure, the fruits of your hard labour will be
appreciated. (For the use of ‘fish’ see 3.2/3)
8. The following nouns are only singular in English, but only plural in Russian:
ink чернила
cream сливки
yeast дрожжи
money деньги
hair волосы
applause аплодисменты
chess шахматы
☼ Note: Hair as a countable noun is used to denote some separate hairs (волосок, волоски):
e.g. There are some hairs on your shoulder.
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Look! There is a hair in my plate.
9. Abstract nouns which are used only in the singular, taken in general sense, acquire both numbers (and become countable) when they express concrete instances or special aspects of the notion they denote:
e.g. The joys of childhood.
The pleasures of winter sport.
A brilliant idea, many brilliant ideas.
Her fears were ungrounded.
Various voices came form the street.
10. Sometimes material and abstract nouns are used in the plural with emphatic force:
e.g. The frozen snows of Arctic.
The sands of Sahara Desert.
The blue waters of the ocean.
A thousand thanks, a thousand pities.
4.2 Nouns used only in the plural.
To the group of nouns which are used only in the plural form belong:
1. the names of things which consist of two similar halves or parts:
scissors trousers
spectacles (=glasses) scales
tongs binoculars
braces breeches
knickers pants
pincers pliers
pajamas shorts
bermudas tights
flannels suspenders
tweezers jeans
!!!These nouns can be made singular and countable with the help of such phrase as ‘a pair of’. When these nouns are used with ‘ a pair of’the verb – predicate is in singular:
e.g. 1. Be careful! The scissors are very sharp.
My jeans are tight for me.
The glasses are broken
2. This pair of jeans is of my size.
That pair of flannels is faded, I suppose we should
buy a new one.
2. many verbal nouns in - ing:
earnings sweepings
doings goings-on
tidings (новости) lodgings
beginnings savings
belongings (пожитки) misgivings
shortcomings surroundings
e.g. His lodgings were in a quiet street.
Your savings are enough to buy that car.
3. other nouns:
the Middle Ages amends
annals the Antipodes
archives arms (weapons)
arrears ashes (human remains)
auspices banns
bounds (boundary) clothes
congratulations credentials
damages (compensation) dregs
entrails goods
looks (appearance) manners (behaviour)
odds outskirts
pains (trouble) particulars
premises (buildings) proceeds
provisions quarters
regards remains
resources riches
suds thanks
the tropics valuables
whereabouts stairs
slums contents
victuals [vitlz] eaves
customs greens
holidays minutes (протокол)
the Commons (the House of Commons) troops
wages
☼Note: The word ‘wages’ is used without ending – s when it is
preceded by an adjective: a minimum wage, a maximum
wage, a living wage, a fixed wage.
e.g. A minimum wage is fixed by law.
4. some proper nouns:
the East Indies, the West Indies, the Hebrides, the Highlands, the Midlands,, the Philippines.
5. The following nouns are plural in English, but singular in Russian:
sweepings сор
clothes одежда
greens зелень (овощи)
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odds преимущество (в спорте)
contents содержание
