Plural Or Singular? The Grammar Conundrums That Trips Us All

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English can be quite puzzling at times, or most of the time. Despite appearing straightforward, it has a knack for presenting unexpected obstacles and puzzles. Here's some assistance on words that look like plurals, but are in fact singular.

1. News

Origin

“new things”. The earliest recorded use of the term "news" was in the 15th century.

Definition

Kemahuan-kemahuan baru-baru ini atau maklumat yang menarik, khususnya tentang berita-berita baru-baru ini.

Example

Kung Fu Panda: "The fate of your village has been decided. Many generations come and go. What remains is the moments between."

2. Mathematics (also known as Maths, or other similar subjects such as Physics, Economics, etc.)

Bahan-Bahan yang selaktion dengan "s" menjadi tunggal. Kami akan mengambil contoh dengan menggunakan matematik.

Origin

,” which means “pertaining to learning” or “related to knowledge.” The word evolved into “mathematics” in Latin, which often used the plural form to encompass various branches of the subject (like algebra, geometry, calculus, etc.). Thus, “mathematics” is treated as a plural noun, even though it is often used as a singular subject in English.

Definition

Mathematics yang abstrak tentang bilangan, kuantiti, dan ruang, baik pada konsep abstrak (matematik murni), mahupun digunakan dalam bidang lain seperti fizik dan kejuruteraan (matematik terpakai).

Example

– Peter Parker (Spider-Man: No Way Home)

To summarise, the 's' represents their origins in plural forms and reflects the diverse and broader nature of these fields of research.

3. Measles

Origin

“leprous, leprosy”. The first recorded case of "measles" occurred around the 14th century.

An infectious viral disease causing fever and a red rash, typically occurring in childhood.

Example

lightly.”

4. Mumps

Origin

‘grimace, have a miserable expression’. The first known use of mumps was in 1592.

Definition

A contagious and infectious viral disease causing swelling of the parotid salivary glands (the neck/throat area) in the face, and a risk of sterility in adult males.

Example

– Jake Peralta (Brooklyn 99)

5. Billiards

Referring to the game, not the balls. Keep in mind, it’s not like snooker.

Origin

.

Definition

Billiards games are divided into 2 types: carom billiards, played on a pocketless table in which the object is to bounce the cue ball off other balls or the table rails, and pocket billiards, played on a table with pockets in which the object is to sink the colored balls into the pockets by striking them with the cue ball — aka pool.

Example

is my second favourite game.”

6. Ethics

Origin

(ethos).

Definition

The branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.

Example

is an important topic that should be taken into consideration more often.”

7. Politics

Origin

‘city’.

Definition

Activities aimed at improving someone’s status or increasing power within an organization.

Example

– Thanos (Guardians of the Galaxy)

8. Linguistics

Origin

(itself probably after the German word)

.

Definition

The scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of grammar, syntax, and phonetics.

Example

– Agent Coulson (Thor)

9. Series

Origin

‘join, connect’. The first known use of series was in 1611.

Definition

A number of events, objects, or people of a similar or related kind coming one after another.

Example

”

10. Species

Origin

to look. The first known use of species was in the 14th century.

Definition

A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

Example

– Gobber (How To Train Your Dragon)

11. Premises

Refers to a place. It has two meanings though. It is plural for premise (plot) but singular and plural when referring to a place.

Origin

‘send’. The first known use of premise was in the 14th century.

Definition

A house or building, together with its land and outbuildings, occupied by a business or considered in an official context.

Example

– Independence Day.

Not all words ending with an “s” are plural. Don’t let grammar trip you up again.

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