Nouns with Plural Form Only

Some nouns are used in plural only, like things consisting of a pair of stuffs or nouns ending with ing, as well as some nouns are used as plural in special phrases.

Note Topics:MorphologyThe NounThe ArticleThe Pronoun
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Nouns with Plural Form Only
In general, a noun has two forms: singular and plural. However, some nouns are used in plural only. In regular communications you should avoid their singular forms that probably confuse your listeners or readers.

We summarize these words into 4 groups:
  1. Things consisting of a pair of stuffs
  2. Nouns ending with "-ing"
  3. Other nouns that hardly used in singular
  4. Use plural meanings in phrase
1. Things consisting of a pair of stuffs
scissors 
trousers 
pants 
shorts 
jeans 
briefs 
compasses 
scales 
pliers 
tongs 
glasses 
spectacles 
earphones 
braces 
cords 
binoculars 
knichers 
sunglasses 
tights 
overalls 
trunks 
pyjamas 
underpants 
slacks 
specs 
2. Nouns ending with -ing
belongings 
surroundings 
tidings 
winnings 
savings 
findings 
clippings 
earnings 
writings 
sweepings 
doings 
shavings 
3. Nouns that hardly used in singular
These nouns are usually to express plural meaning so they aren't used in singular except in rare cases.

contents 
arms 
fireworks 
remains 
assets 
congratulations 
thanks 
quarters 
clothes 
outskirts 
valuables 
ashes 
riches 
amends 
annals 
archives 
arrears 
bowels 
dregs 
stairs 
guts 
particulars 
dominoes 
goods 
greens 
tropics 
dues 
brains 
forces 
4. Use plural meanings in phrase
In some fixed phrases, the nouns are usually in plural though these nouns can be singular in other scenarios.

authorities 
country authorities
sights 
see the sights
pictures 
go to the pictures
airs 
put on airs
resources 
natural resources
effects 
personal effects
spirits 
high spirits
affairs 
internal affairs
conditions 
working conditions
manners 
good manners
refreshments 
serve refreshments
talks 
hold talks
expenses 
travel expenses
relations 
diplomatic relations


5. Singular ends with -s
Last but not least, we show some nouns look like plural, e.g. end with "-s", but are absolutely singular nouns. Don't be confused by them.

Disease names
diabetes 
measles 
mumps 
rabies 
rickets 
shingles 
syphillis 
Science subjects
physics 
linguistics 
economics 
statistics 
acoustics 
aeronautics 
electronics 
genetics 
mathematics 
logistics 
mechanics 
politics  
Some activities
cards 
darts 
acrobatics 
athletics 
billiards 
draughts