B. (Part - 6/II) HOW TO CHANGE SINGULAR NOUNS INTO PLURAL NOUNS

 b. Some nouns have only one meaning in the plural and more than one meaning in the singular

Examplex

• The beggars were fascinated to see the divine light 
• Ruby switched on the light by her bedside.
• They switched off the lights when they left the room.

In the first example, the singular of light means radiance but in the second example it meant lamp. In the third example, lights can only mean lamps. 

c. Some nouns ausume completely different meanings in the singular and the plural form

Examples:

• The air was pleasant.
• She tried to fake the airs of a gentlewoman.

In the first example, air refers to atmosphere, while in the second example it refers to manners or behaviour.

Examples:

• He pulled at the rope with force
• Both the nations had allied their forces 

In the first example, force (singular) means strength, while in the second example (plural) it means military.

6. Collective nouns can assume the singular or the plural form according to the context. 

a. A collective noun is a single entity made up of various members or units. When the individual units of the entity are referred to in the collection or they act as individuals and not as a group, the collective noun assumes a plural verb and pronoun.

Example:

• The assembly have different views on this matter.

 Assembly is a collective noun, however since the sentence is referring to the individual members of the assembly, the plural form of the verb has been used. 

b. When the individual units or members of the group (Collective noun) act unanimously, thenoun assumes a singular verb.

Examples:

The faculty was trying very hard to encourage the students.

(Collective noun and singular verb) 

The organisation has planned to expand its operations abroad.

(Collective noun and singular verb) (Singular pronoun)

7. Nouns that are borrowed from foreign languages assume their original form.

Examples:

 What are the criteria for judging the contestants?

The entry to the contest was based on only one criterion

Velum-Vela, Erratum - Errata, Madame-Mesdames, Genie-Genies, Appendix-Appendices are some other examples. 

8. There is no plural form for abstract and material nouns. The only when they are used as common nouns.

Examples:

• Temptations cannot be overcome by the weak-hearted.
• They beat him up and had him thrown in irons

                                                                       To be continue...