Some nouns have the singular and the plural alike. Some have no singular forms; likewise, some nouns have no plural forms. Test your understanding of singular and plural nouns with this grammar exercise.
Fill in the blanks.
1He weighs nine ...............
Wrong!
In British English, the weight unit "stone" (14 pounds) usually stays singular after a number, so "nine stone" is correct.
2That car cost me five ............... dollars.
Wrong!
Before another noun, the number word stays singular, so "thousand" is correct.
3I bought three ............... oranges.
Wrong!
Before another noun, the number word stays singular, so "dozen" is correct.
4India won by ............... and three runs.
Wrong!
In this cricket expression, "an innings" is the correct form.
5His ............... small, but he has no debt.
Wrong!
When "means" refers to money or resources, it takes a plural verb, so "means are" is correct.
6............... not only destroy our property but also carry disease.
Wrong!
"Vermin" is already a plural-form noun in this meaning.
7The ............... needs repairs.
Wrong!
For part of a thing, "roof of the house" is the natural form.
8He has no ............... for his parents.
Wrong!
The uncountable noun for regard is "respect".
9Both countries have withdrawn their ...............
Wrong!
When it means military troops, "forces" is the correct plural noun.
10Why are you always putting on ...............?
Wrong!
The idiom meaning affected manners uses the plural noun "airs".
11We must all stand up for the common ...............
Wrong!
"The common good" means the benefit of everyone; here "good" is an uncountable noun. "Goods" means products or possessions.
12He wouldn't listen to my ...............
Wrong!
The uncountable noun meaning guidance is "advice".
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- He weighs nine stone.
- That car cost me five thousand dollars.
- I bought three dozen oranges.
- India won by an innings and three runs.
- His means are small, but he has no debt.
- Vermin not only destroy our property but also carry disease.
- The roof of the house needs repairs.
- He has no respect for his parents.
- Both countries have withdrawn their forces.
- Why are you always putting on airs?
- We must all stand up for the common good.
- He wouldn’t listen to my advice.