Kerala PSC English Grammar Book Study Materials 1 Page 14
Book's First Page
AN INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH GRAMMAR & LANGUAGE
Rule 15 : Some —um ending Latin nouns take only — Index Indexes : tables of contents to books
s in plural form. Indices : signs used in algebra
Singular Plural Singular Plural Penny Pennies : number of coins.
Harmonium Harmoniums Quorum Quorums Pence : amount in value
Forum Forums Premium Premiums Rule 20 : Some nouns have one meaning in the singu-
Pendulum Pendulums lar and more than one in the plural.
Stadium Stadiums Singular Plural
Rule 16 : Noun + Proposition + the same noun remain Colour : hue Colours : 1. hues
always singular in use. 2. the flag of a regi-
For example, ment.
Village after village —correct Custom : habit Customs : 1. habits
Match after match —correct 2. duties levied on
Row upon row —correct imports.
Word for word. —correct Effect : result Effects : 1. results
But, 2. property
Villages after villages —wrong Manner : method Manners : 1. methods
Matches after matches —wrong 2. correct behaviour
Rows upon rows —wrong Moral : a moral Morals : 1. moral lessons
Word for words —wrong
lesson 2. conduct
Rule 17 : The digits, verbs, pronouns and abbrevia-
Number : a quantity Numbers: 1. quantities
tions take their plural form in the following ways :
2. verses
Singular Plural
Pain : suffering Pains : 1. sufferings
70 70"s
2. care, exertion
21 21"s
shall shall"s Premise : proposition Premises :1. propositions
will will"s 2. buildings.
if if"s Quarter : fourth part Quarters :1. fourth part.
what what"s 2. lodgings
who who"s Spectacle : a sight Spectacles:1. sights.
M.A. M.A.s [not M.A."s] 2. eye-glasses
B.A. B.A.s [not B.A."s] Letter : 1. letter of the Letters : 1. letters of the
M.L.A. M.L.A.s [not M.L.A."s] alphabet alphabet
Rule 18 : Some nouns have two meanings in the sin- 2. epistle 2. epistles
gular but only one in plural. 3. literature
Singular Plural Ground : 1. earth Grounds : 1. enclosed land
Light 1. radiance Lights : Lamps 2. reason attached to house
2. a lamp 2. reasons
Practice 1. habit Practices : habits 3. dregs
2. exercise of a profession Rule 21 : Some nouns change their meaning when we
Powder 1. dust Powders : doses make them plural.
2. a dose of medicine of medicine Singular Plural
in fine grains like dust Air : atmosphere Airs : affected manners
People 1. nation Peoples : nations Alphabet : letter Alphabets : longuages
2. men and women Advice : counsel Advices : information
Rule 19 : Some nouns have two forms for the plural, Abuse : bad language Abuses : languages
each with a somewhat different meaning. Compass : extent, range Compasses : an instrument for
Singular Plural drawing circles
Brother Brothers : sons of the same parent Force : strength Forces : military forces
Brethren : members of a society of a Good : benefit, well-being Goods : merchandise
community. Physic : medicine Physics : natural science
Cloth Cloths : kinds or pieces of cloth. Practice : habit Practices : traditions
Clothes : garments. Iron : a kind of metal Irons : fetters
Die Dies : stamps for coining. Light : radiant Lights : lamps
Dice : small cubes used in games. Respect : regard Respects : compliments
Fish Fishes : taken separately. Work : duty Words : creations
Fish : collectively Rule 22 : (a) Abstract Nouns have no plural.
Genius Geniuses : persons of great talent For example,
Genii : spirits Hope, charity, love, kindness, happiness, hatred
etc.
SEE–21