darts
draughts
skittles
tiddlywinks
These nouns refer to diseases:
diabetes
measles
mumps
rabies
rickets
shingles
When there is only one of something: singular nouns
1.34 There are certain things in the world that are unique. There are other things that you almost always want to talk about one at a time. This means that there are some nouns, or more often some meanings of nouns, for which only a singular form is used.
When a noun is used with such a meaning, it is called a singular noun. Singular nouns are always used with a determiner, because they behave like the singular form of a countable noun.
noun–verb agreement
1.35 When you use a singular noun as the subject of a verb, you use a singular form of the verb.
The sun was shining.
The atmosphere is very relaxed.
things that are unique
1.36 Some singular nouns refer to one specific thing and therefore are used with the. Some of these nouns, in fact, refer to something of which there is only one in the world.
There were huge cracks in the ground.
The moon had not yet reached my window.
Burning tanks threw great spirals of smoke into the air.
He’s always thinking about the past and worrying about the future.
using the context
1.37 Other singular nouns can be used to refer to one thing only when it is obvious from the context what you are referring to. For example, if you are in Leeds and say I work at the university, you will almost certainly mean Leeds University.
However, in the following examples it is not clear exactly who or what the singular noun refers to, because there is not enough context.
In many countries the market is small numerically.
Their company looks good only because the competition looks bad.
You’ve all missed the point.
Unless it is made clear which goods or products are being talked about, it is not possible for the reader or listener to be sure which group of potential buyers the market refers to. Similarly it is not possible to know exactly which company or group of companies the competition refers to. In the last example, the speaker is presumably going to state what he or she thinks the point is.
used in verb + object idioms
1.38 There are some activities that you do not usually do more than once at a time. The nouns that refer to them are usually the object of a verb, and are used with the determiner a.
In this structure the verb has very little meaning and the noun carries most of the meaning of the whole structure. For more information about these verb + object idioms, see paragraphs 3.32 to 3.45.
I went and had a wash.
Bruno gave it a try.
Some singular nouns are used so regularly with a particular verb that they have become fixed phrases and are idiomatic.
I’d like very much for you to have a voice in the decision.
Isn’t it time we made a move?
singular noun structures
1.39 There are two special kinds of structure in which a singular noun is used.
A singular noun is sometimes used with the determiner a after a linking verb. See paragraphs 3.126 to 3.181 for more information about linking verbs.
Decision-making is an art.
The quickest way was by using the car. It was a risk but he decided it had to be taken.
They were beginning to find Griffiths’ visits rather a strain.
A singular noun is sometimes used with the determiner the, followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with of.
Comedy is the art of making people laugh.
Old machines will be replaced by newer ones to reduce the risk of breakdown.
He collapsed under the strain of a heavy workload.
This group includes nouns used metaphorically; see paragraph 1.64 for more details.
Some singular nouns are always used to refer to one particular quality or thing, but are rarely used alone; that is, they need to be specified in some way by the use of supporting material. They can be used with a number of different determiners.
There was a note of satisfaction in his voice.
Bessie covered the last fifty yards at a tremendous pace.
Simon allowed his pace to slacken.
She was simply incapable of behaving in a rational and considered manner.
…their manner of rearing their young.
Nouns that are rarely used alone without supporting material are discussed in detail in paragraphs 1.59 to 1.65.
1.40 Some nouns are used in the singular with a particular meaning only in an idiomatic phrase. They have the appearance of singular nouns, but they are not used as freely as singular nouns.
What happens down there is none of my business.
It’s a pity I can’t get to him.
Referring to more than one thing: plural nouns
1.41 There are some things that are considered to be plural rather than singular, so some nouns have only a plural form. For example, you buy goods, but not a good. These nouns are called plural nouns.
Other nouns have only a plural form when they are used with a particular meaning. For example, an official meeting between American and Russian leaders is usually referred to as talks rather than as a talk. In these meanings, these nouns are also called plural nouns.
Union leaders met the company for wage talks on October 9.
It is inadvisable to sell goods on a sale or return basis.
Take care of your clothes.
The weather conditions were the same.
All proceeds are going to charity.
Employees can have meals on the premises.
Note that some plural nouns do not end in -s: for example clergy, police, poultry, and vermin.
noun–verb agreement
1.42 When you use a plural noun as the subject of a verb, you use a plural form of the verb.
Expenses for attending meetings are sometimes claimed.
The foundations were shaking.
Refreshments were on sale in the café.