Use The Correct Singular Or Plural Noun

Skill

Use The Correct Singular Or Plural Noun

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A problem that is common in written expression questions on the TOEFL test is a singular noun used where a plural noun is needed, or a plural noun used where a singular noun is needed.

On the table there were many dish*.
The lab assistant finished every tests*.

In the first example, many indicates that the plural dishes is needed. In the second example, every indicates that the singular test is needed.

In written expression questions on the TOEFL test, you should watch very carefully for key words, such as each, every, a, one, and single, that indicate that a noun should be singular. You should also watch carefully for such key words as many, several, both, various, and two (or any other number except one) that indicate that a noun should be plural.

The following chart lists the key words that indicate to you whether a noun should be singular or plural:

KEY WORDS FOR SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS

For Singular Nouns: each, every, single, one, a
For Plural Nouns: both, two, many, several, various

Exercise

Complete the following exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned:

Each of the following sentences contains at least one key word to tell you if a noun should be singular or plural. Circle the key words. Draw arrows to the nouns they describe. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

  1. ___ The automotive shop stocked many part for the various types of Hondas.
  2. ___ Every receipt must be removed from the cashier’s drawer and tallied.
  3. ___ The salesclerk demonstrated various additional way that the machine could be used.
  4. ___ The woman found it difficult to believe that both of the piece of jewelry had disappeared.
  5. ___ The unhappy man became more and more discouraged with each passing days.
  6. ___ An extended cruise would be a nice way to spend a vacation one days.
  7. ___ The manager was surprised that not a single worker was available on Tuesday.
  8. ___ The housekeeper cleaned the room and took two of the occupant’s dress to the laundry.
  9. ___ When the first bill was defeated, the Senate immediately began work on a different bills.
  10. ___ There were several boxes in the cupboard, and each box contained a dozen glasses.

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