Nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning

In English grammar, some nouns look plural because of their endings or form, but they actually refer to a singular concept, idea, or entity. These nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning. Understanding these helps us use correct verbs and maintain subject-verb agreement in sentences.

What Are These Nouns?

These nouns appear to be plural because they end with an "-s" or "-es," but they represent a single thing or an abstract idea. Therefore, they take singular verbs even though they look like they are plural.

Common Examples and Explanation

1. News
   Although "news" ends in "s," it refers to a singular concept — information about recent events.
   Example:
   "The news is on at six o’clock."
   Here, "news" is singular, so the verb "is" is used, not "are."
2. Mathematics
   This refers to the singular subject of the field of study, even though it looks plural.
   Example:
   "Mathematics is a challenging subject."
   We treat it as singular when choosing the verb.
3. Physics
   Like mathematics, physics names a field of study and is singular in meaning.
   Example:
   "Physics explains the laws of nature."
4. Ethics
   Ethics refers to a set of moral principles — a singular concept.
   Example:
   "Ethics is important in medical practice."
5. Economics
   This is a singular subject despite its plural form.
   Example:
   "Economics is my favorite subject."
6. Measles
   Though it looks plural, measles is a singular disease.
   Example:
   "Measles is highly contagious."
7. Politics
   Politics refers to the singular concept of governance or political activity.
   Example:
   "Politics is often complicated."

Why Is It Important to Know This?

Misunderstanding these nouns can lead to incorrect subject-verb agreement, which affects the clarity and professionalism of writing and speech.

For example, saying "The news are good" is incorrect because "news" is singular and requires "is." Similarly, "Mathematics are fun" should be "Mathematics is fun."

Summary

• Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning.
• These nouns take singular verbs despite their appearance.
• Common examples include: news, mathematics, physics, ethics, economics, measles, politics.
• Correct verb agreement ensures clarity and correctness in communication.