B1 – Intermediate
Plural-only nouns are nouns that are always used in the plural form.
They do not have a singular form or are almost never used in singular.
They always use:
- plural verbs (are, were, have, etc.)
- no “a/an”
Common Plural-Only Nouns
Things with two parts
These often come in pairs:
- pants / trousers
- shorts
- jeans
- glasses
- scissors
- shoes
Examples:
- My pants are new.
- These scissors are sharp.
- His glasses are on the table.
Other plural-only nouns
- clothes
- police
- people
- stairs
- thanks
Examples:
- The police are here.
- My clothes are dirty.
- The stairs are very steep.
Using “a pair of”
If you want to count them, use “a pair of”.
Structure:
a pair of + plural noun + singular verb
Examples:
- This pair of shoes is expensive.
- That pair of scissors is broken.
Now the verb is singular (is), because “pair” is singular.
Important Rules
Incorrect:
- a pants
- a scissors
Correct:
- some pants
- a pair of pants
Quick Comparison
- The pants are black.
- This pair of pants is black.