Noun - Number Part 3
In this article we will study the Nouns with multiple meanings.
Some nouns have different meanings in singular and plural forms and some carry multiple meanings even in the same form, based on their usage in a sentence.
Singular vs. Plural
Some nouns have different meanings in the singular and the plural.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Good: benefit, well-being. | Goods: merchandise. |
| Iron: a kind of metal. | Irons: fetters. |
| Force: strength. | Forces: troops. |
Plural vs. Plural
Some nouns having two plural forms with different meanings.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Brother | brothers, sons of the same parent. brethren, members of a society or a community. |
| Index | indexes, tables of contents to books indices, signs used in algebra. |
One singular form (but different meanings)
Some nouns have one singular form having different meanings (based on context).
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| People: (a) nation. (b) men and women. | Peoples: nations. |
| Practice: (a) habit. (b) exercise of a profession. | Practices: habits. |
One plural form (but different meanings)
Some nouns have one plural form having different meanings (based on context).
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Custom: habit. | Customs: (a) habits. (b) duties levied on imports. |
| Spectacle: a sight. | Spectacles: (a) sights. (b) eye-glasses. |
One singular and plural form (but different meanings)
Some nouns have one singular and one plural form but both forms have more than one meanings (based on context).
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Ground: (a) earth (b) reason. | Grounds: (a) enclosed land attached to house. (b) reasons. (c) dregs. |
Extra Books and Tools
If you prefer to learn via books, or want some good English Grammar books for reference purposes, you may read this article which enlists some of the books recommended by us.