Singular and Plural Nouns

Singular and Plural Nouns (to do)

Each of the following 10 sentences contains a grammatical error. Identify them.

1. It is sensible to travel light and not to bring too many baggages on holiday.
It is sensible to travel light and not to bring too many baggage on holiday.

Explanation: Incorrect pluralization of uncountable nouns
A number of nouns in English are uncountable - they have no plural form (-s). e.g. rain, oil, water, news, persuasion, beauty.
1 The Hong Kong dot com website contains ~~many~~ useful informations about Hong Kong.
2 Chek Lap Kok contains state of the art landing equipments.
3 Teachers should be useful in giving students advices about oral presentations.
4 Some educationalists are now beginning to think that Hong Kong students get too much homeworks.
5 The main point of a Ph.D. is to carry out original researches.
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Incorrect pluralization of uncountable nouns
Whether or not a noun is uncountable is determined by its meaning: an uncountable noun represents something which tends to be viewed as a whole or as a single entity, rather than as one of a number of items which can be counted as individual units. Singular verb forms are used with uncountable nouns.
The indefinite articles a, an and numbers are not normally used with uncountable nouns, e.g.
My grammar checker gave me a (û ) useful feedback.
Please give me an (û ) information about how to access the library on the web. (The plural form some could, however, be used here - I need some information about…..)
There are several ways to express quantity for uncountable nouns, e.g.
I read an (û ) interesting news this morning. an interesting item of news
Could I borrow a (û ) paper to make notes? a sheet/a piece of paper
Teachers should be able to give students a (û ) useful advices about oral presentations. some useful advice

2. Road condition were so bad during the rainstorm that most cars kept off the road.
Road conditions were so bad during the rainstorm that most cars kept off the road.

Explanation: Incorrect singular use of plural nouns
Some noun phrases can only be used in a plural form:
1 Good communication skill are invaluable in the service industries. skills
2 It is now generally agreed that environmental condition is deteriorating in Hong Kong. conditions…are
3 Some people don't care much about their immediate surrounding as long as property prices keep increasing. surroundings
4 Teachers' earning is quite low compared to business people. earnings are
5 Some companies are now moving their headquarter out of Hong Kong to Shenzen. headquarters

3. If you have feedbacks on this site please fill in the form provided.
If you have feedback on this site please fill in the form provided.

4. The Internet provides many information to the public.
The Internet provides information to the public. or
The Internet provides a lot of information to the public.

Explanation: Don't use ‘Count’ determiners and adjectives directly in front of uncountable nouns
‘Count’ determiners and adjectives - many, few, several, etc. - are not used with uncountable nouns, e.g.
The KCR needs many (û ) equipment to make sure it runs safely. a lot of
Fewer (û ) traffic would mean fewer (û ) pollution. less
Be careful when using the following uncountable nouns since they seem to cause particular problems for students. accommodation; equipment; luggage; health; research; news; advice; homework; rubbish; baggage; information; technology; behaviour; knowledge; traffic

5. My instructor said that I had not put enough datas into my project.
My instructor said that I had not put enough data into my project.

Explanation: Plural nouns - not ending in -s
There are a number of plural nouns which cause problems because they do not end in –s. Examples of these are media, data, bacteria, staff, public and people. Remember to use a plural verb form with such words, and not to add –s.

6. Then the system takes these information and responds accordingly.
Then the system takes this information and responds accordingly.

Explanation: Incorrect use of 'these' with uncountable nouns
It is impossible to use 'these' or 'those' with any of the uncountable nouns

7. The Multimedia Innovation Centre contains a lot of state of the art equipments.
The Multimedia Innovation Centre contains a lot of state of the art equipment.

8. When information is available on the net, student can send assignment, watch video clip or access different school library.
When information is available on the net, student can send assignments, watch video clips or access different school libraries.

Explanation: Making Generalizations
If you are talking generally, use the plural form with countable nouns
It would also be possible to use the indefinite article:
When information is available on the net, student can send an assignment, watch a video clip or access a school library.

There are large differences in levels of computer literacies (û ) among university graduates. literacy
The IT sector continues to complain that good qualities (û ) local graduates cannot be found in Hong Kong. quality
If you have feedbacks (û ) on this site please fill in the form provided. feedback

9. Traditional methods of teaching hardly encourage good communication skill among students.
Traditional methods of teaching hardly encourage good communication skills among students.

10. If they do a good job on advertising, their goods can sell oversea.
If they do a good job on advertising, their goods can sell overseas.

Explanation: Nouns - used only in the plural form
A number of nouns in English are used only in the plural form (and with plural verb forms). Examples of these are goods, groceries, jeans, trousers and scissors.

Other nouns are normally used in plural form in certain structures, e.g.
Working conditions are slowly improving in a number of Chinese industries.
The course helped me to improve my communication skills.
Living standards are not rising as quickly in rural areas.