Singular and Plural Exercise

Most nouns form their plurals by adding -s to the singular. However, there are some nouns
that have only a plural form or a singular form. Plural nouns should be followed by a plural
verb and singular nouns should be followed by a singular verb.

Fill in the blanks.

1. I think they teach ..................... . mathematics in schools.

too much
too many
Most words ending in –ics are normally singular uncountable nouns and have no plural use.

2. Politics ..................... . a complicated business.

is
are

3. ………………….. suffering from a disease called BSE.

Many cattle are
Much cattle is
Cattle is a plural word and it has no singular.

4. The police ..................... the thief.

have arrested
has arrested
Police is normally used as a plural noun.

5. Where ……………….. my glasses?

are
is
Words like trousers, jeans, pants, scissors, glasses, binoculars etc., are plural.

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 Singular and Plural Exercise

6. The organization is trying to raise ……………… to support its projects.

fund
funds
When funds means money, it is used in the plural form.

7. A number of people ..................... tried to find the treasure.

has
have
The expression ‘a number of people’ is usually followed by a plural verb.

8. A group of us …………….. going to hold a party tomorrow.

is
are
The expression ‘a group of us’ is followed by a plural verb.

9. Half of her students ……………… understand a word she says.

doesn't
don't
Either could be used here
Half of should be followed by a plural verb.

10. Ten miles ………………. a long way to walk.

is
are
Either could be used here
We usually use singular verbs when we talk about amounts and quantities.

11. One of my friends …………….. going to Mexico.

is
are

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 Singular and Plural Exercise

One of is normally followed by a plural noun and a singular verb.

12. Nobody ……………….. him except his best friends.

like
likes
Either could be used here
Nobody is usually followed by a singular verb.

PLAY AGAIN !
Answers
1. I think they teach too much mathematics in schools.
2. Politics is a complicated business.
3. Many cattle are suffering from a disease called BSE.
4. The police have arrested the thief.
5. Where are my glasses?
6. The organization is trying to raise funds to support its projects.
7. A number of people have tried to find the treasure.
8. A group of us are going to hold a party tomorrow.
9. Half of her students don’t understand a word she says.
10. Ten miles is a long way to walk.
11. One of my friends is going to Mexico.
12. Nobody likes him except his best friends.

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