Scissors - is or are

[cyphever1]

Which of the followings is correct if I refer to one single pair of scissors?

1. The scissors is in the drawer.
2. The scissors are in the drawer.

Thanks
Cyphever

[eric_p_m]

Dear Cyphever1,

Although the dictionary states that both the plural and singular verb forms are correct, logically, I would like to emphasize that native speakers tend to utilize the determinate number "pair" in this context: a pair of scissors, which would require the third person singular verb form.

I guess that since "scissors" actually means "cutters" from Latin, if you took a pair of scissors apart, then you would have just a cutter, which would be a countable noun. :wink:

Hence, I would use the plural verb form, but might just be from the discourse I find myself surrounded by. Another native speaker in a different culture might employ the singular verb form, however unlikely.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scissors


Sincerely,

Eric Paul Monroe

http://www.eric-tesol.com/