Blog about English
Frequent learner mistakes involving English nouns.
A singular countable noun normally needs a determiner such as a, an, the, this, my, or each when used as a normal noun phrase.
For example, I bought a book, She opened the window, and My friend called.
I bought a book yesterday.
Я купил книгу вчера.
"Book" is a singular countable noun and needs the determiner "a".
She opened the window.
Она открыла окно.
"Window" is singular and specific, so it takes "the".
My friend called me last night.
Мой друг позвонил мне прошлой ночью.
"Friend" has the possessive determiner "my".
This restaurant is very popular.
Этот ресторан очень популярен.
"Restaurant" is singular and takes the demonstrative determiner "this".
Each student has a locker.
У каждого студента есть шкафчик.
"Each" functions as the determiner of the singular noun "student".
I need an umbrella.
Мне нужен зонт.
"Umbrella" is singular and begins with a vowel sound, so "an" is required.
The doctor is waiting outside.
Врач ждет снаружи.
"Doctor" is singular and specific in this context, so it takes "the".
My neighbor has a dog.
У моего соседа есть собака.
"Dog" is a singular countable noun introduced with "a".
Many uncountable nouns do not normally take a plural form when referring to the substance or concept generally.
For example, information, advice, furniture, equipment, and news are normally uncountable.
I need some information about the course.
Мне нужна информация о курсе.
"Information" is normally uncountable and does not take a regular plural ending.
She gave me some advice.
Она дала мне совет.
"Advice" is normally uncountable.
The furniture is very expensive.
Мебель очень дорогая.
"Furniture" is normally uncountable and takes singular agreement.
The equipment is ready.
Оборудование готово.
"Equipment" is normally uncountable.
The news is good.
Новости хорошие.
"News" ends in "-s" but is grammatically singular.
We bought some new furniture for the apartment.
Мы купили новую мебель для квартиры.
Do not normally use "furnitures" for ordinary furniture.
He needs more information before making a decision.
Ему нужно больше информации, прежде чем принять решение.
"Information" remains uncountable even when a large amount is meant.
The equipment in the lab is expensive.
Оборудование в лаборатории дорогое.
"Equipment" takes a singular verb because it is uncountable.
Advice and information are normally uncountable and do not usually take a or an or a regular plural ending.
Use a piece of advice or a piece of information when referring to one item.
She gave me some useful advice.
Она дала мне полезный совет.
"Advice" is uncountable, so "some advice" is natural.
I need a piece of advice.
Мне нужен один совет.
"A piece of advice" refers to one individual piece of advice.
He gave me two pieces of advice.
Он дал мне два совета.
"Two pieces of advice" is used when individual items are counted.
I found some information about the company.
Я нашел информацию о компании.
"Information" is uncountable.
I need a piece of information.
Мне нужна одна деталь или единица информации.
"A piece of information" refers to one individual item of information.
The website provides useful information about the program.
На сайте есть полезная информация о программе.
"Information" does not become plural simply because there are many facts.
She gave us several pieces of information.
Она дала нам несколько деталей информации.
"Several pieces of information" is the standard way to count separate items.
My teacher gave me a useful piece of advice.
Учитель дал мне полезный совет.
"A piece of advice" is preferred to the nonstandard form "an advice".
Furniture and equipment are generally uncountable in standard English and normally do not take plural -s.
Use a piece of furniture or a piece of equipment when referring to an individual item.
The furniture in the apartment is new.
Мебель в квартире новая.
"Furniture" is normally uncountable and takes "is".
We need some new furniture for the office.
Нам нужна новая мебель для офиса.
"Some furniture" is natural because "furniture" is uncountable.
They bought a piece of furniture for the living room.
Они купили предмет мебели для гостиной.
"A piece of furniture" refers to one individual item.
The equipment is in the storage room.
Оборудование находится в кладовой.
"Equipment" is uncountable and takes singular agreement.
The lab needs some new equipment.
Лаборатории нужно новое оборудование.
"Some equipment" is used without a plural ending.
The technician installed a piece of equipment.
Техник установил единицу оборудования.
"A piece of equipment" is used for one item.
Three pieces of equipment were delivered yesterday.
Три единицы оборудования доставили вчера.
"Three pieces of equipment" counts separate items.
The office furniture is made of wood.
Офисная мебель сделана из дерева.
"Furniture" remains uncountable even when a specific category is meant.
News is an uncountable noun that normally takes singular verb agreement despite ending in -s.
For example, The news is good, not The news are good.
The news is good.
Новости хорошие.
"News" takes singular agreement despite ending in "-s".
The news is on television.
Новости по телевидению.
"News" is treated as a singular uncountable noun.
I heard some good news today.
Сегодня я услышал хорошие новости.
"Some good news" does not require a plural ending.
What is the latest news?
Какие последние новости?
"What is" is correct because "news" is grammatically singular.
The news about the storm was alarming.
Новости о буре были тревожными.
"News" remains singular even when followed by a descriptive phrase.
The local news is on at six.
Местные новости идут в шесть.
"The local news" takes "is" in standard English.
That news is surprising.
Эта новость удивительна.
"News" can be modified by a singular demonstrative.
The news was all over social media.
Новости были повсюду в социальных сетях.
"News" is singular even when it represents many separate reports.
People is normally the plural of person, while peoples refers to distinct ethnic, cultural, or national groups.
For example, Many people attended the meeting, but the peoples of the region have different traditions.
Many people attended the meeting.
На собрание пришло много людей.
"People" is the usual plural of "person".
Two people are waiting outside.
Два человека ждут снаружи.
"People" is the normal everyday plural of "person".
The people of this town are very friendly.
Жители этого города очень дружелюбны.
"People" refers generally to the inhabitants of a particular place.
The peoples of the region speak several different languages.
Народы этого региона говорят на нескольких разных языках.
"Peoples" refers to distinct ethnic, cultural, or national groups.
The indigenous peoples of the area have preserved their traditions.
Коренные народы этой территории сохранили свои традиции.
"Peoples" emphasizes distinct groups rather than individuals.
People from different countries work here.
Здесь работают люди из разных стран.
"People" is the ordinary plural in everyday English.
The peoples of the ancient world had different customs.
У народов древнего мира были разные обычаи.
"Peoples" refers to multiple distinct populations.
Three people were injured in the accident.
В аварии пострадали три человека.
"People" is used as the plural of "person".
Person is singular and people is its usual plural in general English.
For example, one person, two people.
One person is waiting outside.
Один человек ждет снаружи.
"Person" is singular.
Two people are waiting outside.
Два человека ждут снаружи.
"People" is the usual plural of "person".
There was one person at the bus stop.
На автобусной остановке был один человек.
"One person" uses the singular form.
There were five people at the bus stop.
На автобусной остановке было пять человек.
"Five people" uses the usual plural form.
That person is my neighbor.
Этот человек — мой сосед.
"Person" is singular and takes "is".
Those people are my neighbors.
Эти люди — мои соседи.
"People" is plural and takes "are".
Every person needs identification.
Каждому человеку нужно удостоверение личности.
"Every" takes the singular noun "person".
Many people use this app every day.
Многие люди используют это приложение каждый день.
"Many" takes the plural noun "people".
The irregular plural of child is children.
For example, one child, two children.
One child is playing in the yard.
Один ребенок играет во дворе.
"Child" is singular.
Two children are playing in the yard.
Два ребенка играют во дворе.
"Children" is the irregular plural of "child".
The child needs help.
Ребенку нужна помощь.
"Child" takes the singular verb "needs".
The children need help.
Детям нужна помощь.
"Children" takes the plural verb "need".
That child is my nephew.
Этот ребенок — мой племянник.
"That child" is singular.
Those children are my students.
Эти дети — мои ученики.
"Those children" is plural.
The children's toys are in the living room.
Игрушки детей находятся в гостиной.
"Children's" is the possessive form of the irregular plural "children".
The two children are wearing backpacks.
Двое детей носят рюкзаки.
"Children" does not take an additional plural ending.
The irregular plural of man is men.
For example, one man, two men.
One man is waiting outside.
Один мужчина ждет снаружи.
"Man" is singular.
Two men are waiting outside.
Два мужчины ждут снаружи.
"Men" is the irregular plural of "man".
The man works at a bank.
Мужчина работает в банке.
"Man" takes the singular verb "works".
The men work at a bank.
Мужчины работают в банке.
"Men" takes the plural verb "work".
That man is my uncle.
Тот мужчина — мой дядя.
"Man" is singular.
Those men are my neighbors.
Те мужчины — мои соседи.
"Men" is plural.
The men's room is down the hall.
Мужской туалет находится в конце коридора.
"Men's" is the possessive form of the irregular plural "men".
Several men were standing near the entrance.
Несколько мужчин стояли возле входа.
"Men" does not take the regular plural ending "-s".
The irregular plural of woman is women, with a change in pronunciation as well as spelling.
For example, one woman, two women.
One woman is waiting outside.
Одна женщина ждет снаружи.
"Woman" is singular.
Two women are waiting outside.
Две женщины ждут снаружи.
"Women" is the irregular plural of "woman".
The woman works at a hospital.
Женщина работает в больнице.
"Woman" takes the singular verb "works".
The women work at a hospital.
Женщины работают в больнице.
"Women" takes the plural verb "work".
That woman is my aunt.
Та женщина — моя тетя.
"Woman" is singular.
Those women are my coworkers.
Те женщины — мои коллеги.
"Women" is plural.
The women's locker room is downstairs.
Женская раздевалка находится внизу.
"Women's" is the possessive form of the irregular plural "women".
Several women attended the meeting.
Несколько женщин посетили собрание.
"Women" is pronounced differently from singular "woman".
The irregular plural of foot is feet.
For example, one foot, two feet.
The table is three feet long.
Стол длиной три фута.
"Feet" is the irregular plural of "foot".
My son is four feet tall.
Рост моего сына — четыре фута.
"Feet" is used for a plural measurement.
The ladder is one foot wide.
Лестница шириной один фут.
"One foot" uses the singular form.
The wall is eight feet high.
Стена высотой восемь футов.
"Eight feet" is plural.
He hurt his foot while playing soccer.
Он повредил ногу, играя в футбол.
"Foot" is singular.
My feet are cold.
У меня мерзнут ноги.
"Feet" is the irregular plural of "foot".
The basketball hoop is ten feet above the ground.
Баскетбольное кольцо находится в десяти футах над землей.
"Feet" is used after the plural number "ten".
The room is twenty feet wide.
Комната шириной двадцать футов.
"Feet" is used for the plural unit of measurement.
The irregular plural of tooth is teeth.
For example, one tooth, two teeth.
I lost a tooth.
Я потерял зуб.
"Tooth" is singular.
My teeth hurt.
У меня болят зубы.
"Teeth" is the irregular plural of "tooth".
The dentist examined one tooth.
Стоматолог осмотрел один зуб.
"One tooth" uses the singular form.
The dentist examined all my teeth.
Стоматолог осмотрел все мои зубы.
"Teeth" is plural.
A baby tooth fell out.
У ребенка выпал молочный зуб.
"Tooth" is singular in "baby tooth".
She brushed her teeth before bed.
Она почистила зубы перед сном.
"Teeth" is used because the phrase refers to multiple teeth.
The child has two loose teeth.
У ребенка два шатающихся зуба.
"Teeth" is the plural form after "two".
My front teeth are sensitive.
Мои передние зубы чувствительны.
"Teeth" takes a plural verb: "are".
The irregular plural of mouse is mice.
For example, one mouse, two mice.
There is a mouse in the garage.
В гараже есть мышь.
"Mouse" is singular.
There are two mice in the garage.
В гараже две мыши.
"Mice" is the irregular plural of "mouse".
The mouse is hiding under the cabinet.
Мышь прячется под шкафом.
"Mouse" takes the singular verb "is".
The mice are hiding under the cabinet.
Мыши прячутся под шкафом.
"Mice" takes the plural verb "are".
We found a mouse in the kitchen.
Мы нашли мышь на кухне.
"Mouse" is singular.
The mice ate some of the food.
Мыши съели часть еды.
"Mice" is plural.
A computer mouse is on the desk.
Компьютерная мышь лежит на столе.
"Mouse" can also refer to a computer input device.
The computer mice are wireless.
Компьютерные мыши беспроводные.
"Mice" is also the plural of "mouse" when referring to computer devices.
The irregular plural of goose is geese.
For example, one goose, two geese.
A goose was standing near the pond.
Гусь стоял возле пруда.
"Goose" is singular.
Several geese were near the pond.
Несколько гусей были возле пруда.
"Geese" is the irregular plural of "goose".
The goose is eating grass.
Гусь ест траву.
"Goose" takes singular agreement.
The geese are crossing the road.
Гуси переходят дорогу.
"Geese" takes plural agreement.
We saw one goose at the lake.
Мы увидели одного гуся у озера.
"One goose" uses the singular form.
We saw five geese at the lake.
Мы увидели пять гусей у озера.
"Five geese" uses the irregular plural.
The farmer keeps a goose in the yard.
Фермер держит гуся во дворе.
"Goose" is singular.
The geese made a lot of noise this morning.
Гуси сегодня утром сильно шумели.
"Geese" is plural and takes "made".
Apostrophes are not normally used to form ordinary noun plurals.
For example, books, cars, and students are correct, not book's, car's, and student's.
I bought three books.
Я купил три книги.
"Books" forms the plural with "-s", not an apostrophe.
There are two cars in the driveway.
На подъездной дорожке две машины.
"Cars" is the ordinary plural of "car"; no apostrophe is needed.
The students finished their homework.
Студенты закончили домашнее задание.
"Students" is plural, not possessive, so there is no apostrophe.
We need two tickets.
Нам нужны два билета.
"Tickets" is a regular plural without an apostrophe.
The dogs are outside.
Собаки снаружи.
"Dogs" is plural, not possessive.
The 1990s were an important decade.
1990-е были важным десятилетием.
Decades normally take no apostrophe before the plural "s".
There are three DVDs on the shelf.
На полке три DVD.
Acronyms and abbreviations form ordinary plurals with "-s", without an apostrophe.
I have two URLs to check.
Мне нужно проверить два URL.
"URLs" is the plural of "URL" without an apostrophe.
Possessive nouns require apostrophes according to whether the noun is singular, regular plural, or irregular plural.
For example, the girl's bag, the girls' bags, and the children's toys.
The girl's bag is on the chair.
Сумка девочки на стуле.
"Girl's" is the possessive form of the singular noun "girl".
The girls' bags are on the chair.
Сумки девочек на стуле.
"Girls'" is the possessive form of the regular plural "girls".
The children's toys are in the box.
Игрушки детей находятся в коробке.
"Children's" takes apostrophe + "s" because "children" is an irregular plural.
The teachers' lounge is upstairs.
Учительская находится наверху.
"Teachers'" ends with an apostrophe because "teachers" is a regular plural ending in "-s".
James's car is outside.
Машина Джеймса находится снаружи.
"James's" is one common American English way to write the singular possessive of "James".
The students' projects were excellent.
Проекты студентов были отличными.
"Students'" shows that the projects belong to several students.
My parents' house is in Ohio.
Дом моих родителей находится в Огайо.
"Parents'" is the possessive form of the regular plural "parents".
The women's locker room is downstairs.
Женская раздевалка находится внизу.
"Women's" takes apostrophe + "s" because "women" is an irregular plural.
Collective nouns can take singular or plural agreement depending on meaning and variety, especially in British English.
For example, The team is ready focuses on the group, while The team are changing can emphasize individual members.
The team is ready for the game.
Команда готова к игре.
American English normally uses singular agreement when the team is viewed as one unit.
The committee has reached a decision.
Комитет принял решение.
"Committee" is treated as one body here.
The family is planning a vacation.
Семья планирует отпуск.
"Family" takes singular agreement when viewed as one unit.
The team members are changing in the locker room.
Члены команды переодеваются в раздевалке.
"Team members" is explicitly plural, so "are" is required.
In British English, the team are changing their uniforms.
В британском английском команда переодевает форму.
British English more readily permits plural agreement when the individual members are emphasized.
The audience was silent during the speech.
Зрители молчали во время выступления.
"Audience" is treated as one group.
The staff is meeting this afternoon.
Персонал собирается сегодня днем.
American English commonly uses singular agreement with "staff" when the group is treated as a unit.
The committee members are divided over the proposal.
Члены комитета разделились во мнениях по поводу предложения.
"Committee members" focuses on the individuals, so the verb is plural.
Some nouns normally occur only in plural form and take plural agreement.
Examples include scissors, trousers, clothes, and belongings.
These scissors are sharp.
Эти ножницы острые.
"Scissors" normally takes plural agreement.
My trousers are too long.
Мои брюки слишком длинные.
"Trousers" is normally plural-only.
These clothes are clean.
Эта одежда чистая.
"Clothes" is plural in form and takes plural agreement.
His belongings are in the car.
Его вещи находятся в машине.
"Belongings" is normally used in the plural.
My glasses are on the table.
Мои очки на столе.
"Glasses" takes plural agreement when referring to eyeglasses.
The surroundings are beautiful.
Окрестности прекрасны.
"Surroundings" is normally plural-only.
Their belongings were left in the hotel room.
Их вещи остались в гостиничном номере.
"Belongings" takes "were" because it is plural.
The clothes are still wet.
Одежда все еще мокрая.
"Clothes" takes plural agreement.
Nouns such as scissors, trousers, and glasses can refer to one object but have plural grammatical form.
For example, These scissors are sharp. Use a pair of scissors when a singular unit is required.
These scissors are sharp.
Эти ножницы острые.
"Scissors" has plural grammatical form even when one tool is meant.
I need a pair of scissors.
Мне нужны ножницы.
"A pair of scissors" treats one tool as one countable unit.
These trousers are too small.
Эти брюки слишком маленькие.
"Trousers" is grammatically plural.
I bought a pair of trousers.
Я купил брюки.
"A pair of trousers" refers to one item of clothing.
My glasses are in my bag.
Мои очки в моей сумке.
"Glasses" takes plural agreement.
I bought a new pair of glasses.
Я купил новые очки.
"A pair of glasses" counts one set of eyeglasses.
The binoculars are in the car.
Бинокль находится в машине.
"Binoculars" normally has plural grammatical form.
We packed two pairs of jeans.
Мы взяли две пары джинсов.
"Pairs of jeans" is used to count separate items.
Some nouns referring to groups are grammatically plural or have special agreement patterns.
For example, The police are investigating the case, while cattle are grazing in the field.
The police are investigating the case.
Полиция расследует дело.
"Police" is normally grammatically plural and takes "are".
The police have arrived.
Полиция приехала.
"Police" takes the plural auxiliary "have".
The cattle are grazing in the field.
Скот пасется в поле.
"Cattle" is a plural noun referring to cows and other bovine animals collectively.
The cattle were moved to a larger field.
Скот перевели на большее поле.
"Cattle" takes plural agreement.
The police are talking to the driver.
Полиция разговаривает с водителем.
"Police" is followed by a plural verb even though it refers to one organization or body.
A police officer is standing outside.
Снаружи стоит полицейский.
"Police officer" is singular and takes "is".
Several cattle were near the road.
Несколько животных из стада были возле дороги.
"Cattle" does not take the regular plural ending "-s".
The police were called after the accident.
После аварии вызвали полицию.
"Police" takes a plural verb in this passive construction.
Series and species have the same form in the singular and plural, so number must be understood from context or agreement.
For example, one species, several species, one series, and several series.
This series is about a detective in New York.
Этот сериал о детективе в Нью-Йорке.
"Series" is singular here and takes "is".
These series are very popular.
Эти сериалы очень популярны.
"Series" can also be plural without changing its form.
This species is endangered.
Этот вид находится под угрозой исчезновения.
"Species" is singular here.
Several species are endangered.
Несколько видов находятся под угрозой исчезновения.
"Species" is plural here but has the same form as the singular.
The museum has a series of photographs from the 1920s.
В музее есть серия фотографий 1920-х годов.
"Series" is singular after "a".
The scientists studied several species in the region.
Ученые изучили несколько видов в этом регионе.
"Several" shows that "species" is plural in this sentence.
This series has ten episodes.
В этом сериале десять эпизодов.
"Series" is singular because it refers to one series.
The two series have different endings.
У двух сериалов разные концовки.
"Two series" is plural even though the noun form does not change.
Means has the same form in the singular and plural and can refer to one method or several methods.
For example, a means of communication and several means of communication.
A car is a convenient means of transportation.
Автомобиль — удобное средство передвижения.
"A means" is singular and refers to one method or way.
Email is an effective means of communication.
Электронная почта — эффективное средство связи.
"Means" is singular here because the phrase begins with "an".
There are several means of communication.
Существует несколько средств связи.
"Several means" is plural, but the noun form remains unchanged.
Social media are powerful means of communication.
Социальные сети — мощное средство связи.
"Means" is plural here because it refers to multiple methods or tools.
This is a simple means of solving the problem.
Это простой способ решения проблемы.
"A means" refers to one method.
They used different means to solve the problem.
Они использовали разные способы решения проблемы.
"Different means" is plural.
A means of transportation was needed.
Понадобилось средство передвижения.
"A means" takes the singular article "a".
Several means of transportation are available.
Доступно несколько средств передвижения.
"Several means" takes plural agreement.
Criterion is singular, while criteria is its traditional plural.
For example, one criterion, two criteria.
Price is an important criterion.
Цена — важный критерий.
"Criterion" is singular.
We use three criteria to choose a candidate.
Мы используем три критерия для выбора кандидата.
"Criteria" is the traditional plural of "criterion".
One important criterion is reliability.
Один важный критерий — надежность.
"One criterion" takes the singular form.
The judges considered several criteria.
Судьи рассмотрели несколько критериев.
"Several criteria" is plural.
This criterion is difficult to measure.
Этот критерий трудно измерить.
"Criterion" takes the singular verb "is".
These criteria are used in the selection process.
Эти критерии используются в процессе отбора.
"Criteria" takes the plural verb "are".
The main criterion for admission is academic performance.
Главный критерий поступления — успеваемость.
"The main criterion" is singular.
The criteria for admission are listed on the website.
Критерии поступления перечислены на сайте.
"The criteria" is plural and takes "are".
Phenomenon is singular, while phenomena is the traditional plural.
For example, a rare phenomenon and several phenomena.
A rainbow is a natural phenomenon.
Радуга — природное явление.
"Phenomenon" is singular.
Scientists studied several unusual phenomena.
Ученые изучали несколько необычных явлений.
"Phenomena" is the traditional plural of "phenomenon".
This phenomenon occurs in cold weather.
Это явление происходит в холодную погоду.
"This phenomenon" is singular.
These phenomena are still poorly understood.
Эти явления все еще плохо изучены.
"Phenomena" takes plural agreement.
The aurora is a fascinating natural phenomenon.
Северное сияние — удивительное природное явление.
"Phenomenon" refers to one observed event or process.
Researchers documented several social phenomena.
Исследователи задокументировали несколько социальных явлений.
"Phenomena" refers to multiple observable events or processes.
The phenomenon is difficult to explain.
Это явление трудно объяснить.
"Phenomenon" takes the singular verb "is".
The phenomena were observed at the same time.
Явления наблюдались одновременно.
"Phenomena" takes the plural verb "were".
Choose singular or plural forms according to the grammatical number and lexical behavior of the noun.
Common mistakes include using regular plural forms for irregular nouns, treating uncountable nouns as countable, and using singular verbs with plural-only nouns.
I need some information about the course.
Мне нужна информация о курсе.
Do not use "informations"; "information" is normally uncountable.
The children are playing outside.
Дети играют снаружи.
Use "children", not the incorrect regular plural "childs".
The women are waiting in the lobby.
Женщины ждут в вестибюле.
Use "women", not "womans", as the plural of "woman".
These scissors are sharp.
Эти ножницы острые.
Do not use singular agreement with the plural-only noun "scissors".
The news is surprising.
Новости удивительны.
Do not use "are" simply because "news" ends in "-s".
Three feet is a little over one yard.
Три фута — немного больше ярда.
An amount or measurement treated as one unit can take singular agreement.
The police are investigating the case.
Полиция расследует дело.
"Police" takes plural agreement in standard usage.
Several criteria are used to evaluate the applications.
Для оценки заявок используются несколько критериев.
Use the irregular plural "criteria", not "criterions", in standard formal English.