Nouns That Are Always Plural: Scissors, Trousers, Glasses
Quick Answer
Some English nouns have no singular form. You cannot say “a scissor” or “one trouser“. They are always plural, even when you mean one object — and they always take are, never “is”.
See the Pattern First
One object, but the grammar is plural every time.
- My trousers are new. (One item of clothing!)
- Where are the scissors? (One tool.)
- These glasses are broken. (One pair on your face.)
- The pliers are in the drawer. (One tool again.)
Notice what they all have in common: every one is made of two matching parts joined together. Two legs, two blades, two lenses, two handles. English decided that two joined parts means a plural word.
The Full List
To talk about one, use “a pair of”.
| One | Many | One | Many |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a pair of) glasses | glasses | (a pair of) pants | pants |
| (a pair of) pliers | pliers | (a pair of) scissors | scissors |
| (a pair of) shorts | shorts | (a pair of) suspenders | suspenders |
| (a pair of) trousers | trousers |
How to Count Them
Because there is no singular, English gives you a workaround: the phrase a pair of. “A pair of scissors.” “Two pairs of trousers.” That phrase carries the counting, and the noun stays plural.
And here is the detail that catches people: when you use “a pair”, the verb follows pair, not the noun. “A pair of scissors is on the table.” One pair, so “is”.
No singular. Use “a pair of” to count.
Trousers or Pants?
This pair changes meaning across countries — worth knowing:
- In Britain, trousers are the outer clothing and pants are underwear.
- In America, pants are the outer clothing.
Both are always plural in both countries, so the grammar never changes — only the meaning does.
One More Always-Plural Noun
Tongs is another tool that is always plural, like scissors.
Step 1: Tongs
The word tongs has no singular form. You cannot say “a tong.” Say “a pair of tongs” for one and “pairs of tongs” for more than one.
Examples:
- Can you pass me the tongs? I need to flip the meat.
- She bought a new pair of tongs for the barbecue.
- There are two pairs of tongs in the kitchen drawer.
Common mistake
Saying “a tong”
✗ Can I borrow a tong?
✓ Can I borrow a pair of tongs?
How to remember: Think of scissors — you say “a pair of scissors,” not “a scissor.” Tongs works the same way. Both have two parts, so both are always plural.
Mistakes Learners Make (You Are Not Alone)
These three are extremely common:
- ✗ a scissor → ✓ a pair of scissors
- ✗ my trouser is new → ✓ my trousers are new
- ✗ these glasses is dirty → ✓ these glasses are dirty (always “are” with the bare noun)
Saying “a scissor” is completely logical — it is one object! English is simply being odd. Use “a pair of” and you are always right.
Your Turn — Quick Quiz
Five questions. Take your time — the table above is still there if you need it.
1. Which is CORRECT?
2. My new ____ very comfortable.
3. How do you talk about ONE item?
4. Which sentence is CORRECT?
5. Where ____ my reading ____?
Tongs also has a plural form even when you mean one tool. Practise the phrase a pair of tongs.
Keep Going
You now know why you can never buy just one trouser.
There is one last puzzle. Words like data, media and criteria are technically plural — but almost everyone treats them as singular. Who is right?
Next lesson: Data, media, criteria: singular or plural?
Sources
I’m Khamis Maiouf. I’m studying Health and Social Care and have completed Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Level 3 Hairdressing. I have taught ESOL in my community and helped students with GCSE English. I run English Teacher Site to help people learn and practise English.