The Word “Scissors” is a Defective Noun
By “scissors” do you mean one pair or more?
Interesting Facts in Easy English
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- defective: doesn’t function normally; imperfect
- agreement: when the subject corresponds with the correct version of the verb
- panties: female underwear
- boxers: male underwear that is shaped like shorts
- wordsmith: a person who is interested in and skilled with words
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The Word “Scissors” is a Defective Noun
Comprehension Questions
- How can you refer to “scissors” in a singular way?
- Why does this report mention “goggles”?
- What does the expression “plurale tantum” translate to in English?
Discussion Questions: How does an irregular plural like “sheep” differ from a word like “scissors”?
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The Word “Scissors” is a Defective Noun
In English, there are a few nouns that only have a
plural form. The word “scissors” is one example. There is no
singular form of this word and it requires plural agreement. For example:
The scissors are on the table. To make this tool singular, you have to use “a pair of scissors”. Other words that don’t have a singular form are “pants”, “shorts”, “glasses (eyeglasses)”,
“goggles”, “panties” and “boxers”. The Latin word for this concept is “plurale tantum”, which means
plural only. Some wordsmiths
prefer the term “defective nouns”.
- To refer to “scissors” in a singular way, you can say or write “a pair of scissors”.
- This report mentions “goggles” because this is a defective noun like “scissors” that does not have a singular form in English.
- The expression “plurale tantum” translates to plural only.
