grammatical number - Are words like "scissors" plural?

I never hear "scissor" or "pant" or "jean". It's always "scissors", "pants", and "jeans", respectively. Are they considered plural?

Answer

Yes, these words only have a plural form and require the verb in the plural. A list of such words would be very long and, to mention just a few:

• glasses (spectacles)


• trousers


• binoculars


• tweezers


• pajamas, pyjamas


• knickers


• clothes



• belongings

but beware of "maths" and "aerobics" which are always singular.

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