ENGLISH
REFERENCE

singular

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈsɪŋɡjəɫɝ// UK //sˈɪŋɡjʊlɐ// sin·gu·lar Archaic

n. the form of a word that you use when you are talking about only one person or thing. It is the opposite of plural.

n. the grammatical form of a word used to refer to a single entity. Often contrasted with the plural form in morphological analysis.


SIMPLE

The singular of 'children' is 'child'.

CONTEXTUAL

In English, most nouns add an 's' to change from the singular to the plural form.

COMPLEX

While many collective nouns are grammatically singular, they can sometimes take a plural verb in British English depending on whether the group is viewed as a unit or as individuals.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English singuler, from Old French, from Latin singulāris (“alone of its kind”), from Latin singulus (“single”).

Usage

Often used with the definite article ('the singular') when referring to the grammatical category.

Pitfall

The singulars of 'mice' is 'mouse'The singular of 'mice' is 'mouse'When referring to the grammatical category, the word is usually used in its own singular form even if the subject is plural.

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