Singular of Tongs: The Answer That Surprises Everyone
Quick Answer
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.
Tongs — Always Plural, No Singular Form
Look at these sentences. Pay attention to the words in blue:
- 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.
- These tongs are very hot. Be careful!
Did you see the pattern? We always say tongs — never “tong.” And we always use the verb are, not “is.”
| What you mean | What you say |
|---|---|
| One (1) | a pair of tongs |
| Two (2) | two pairs of tongs |
| Many | several pairs of tongs |
Why You Cannot Say “A Tong”
Tongs have two arms that work together. Because this tool has two parts, English treats it as plural. This means:
- Always use a plural verb: The tongs are on the table. (Not “is.”)
- Say “a pair of” when you mean one: I need a pair of tongs.
- Say “pairs of” when you mean more than one: We bought three pairs of tongs for the cooking class.
Easy way to remember: Two arms = always plural. Use “pair” to count them, just like you say “a pair of scissors” or “a pair of glasses.”
The Rule in One Line: Tongs is always plural — say “a pair of tongs” for one.
How to Talk About Tongs in Everyday English
Here are sentences you might hear or say every day:
- Hand me the tongs, please. The chicken is ready to turn. (= the tool — always plural)
- The tongs are next to the grill. (= plural verb “are”)
- I need a pair of tongs for the salad. (= one set of tongs)
- We bought four pairs of tongs for the restaurant. (= counting with “pairs of”)
- These tongs do not grip well. I think they are too old. (= plural verb again)
You are doing great. Now let’s look at the mistakes many learners make.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With Tongs
Even native speakers’ children say “a tong” when they are learning to talk — so if you get confused, you are not alone. Tongs breaks the normal rules, and that makes it tricky for everyone.
Mistake 1: Saying “a tong”
✗ Can I borrow a tong?
✓ Can I borrow a pair of tongs?
Mistake 2: Using “is” with tongs
✗ The tongs is on the table.
✓ The tongs are on the table.
Mistake 3: Saying “two tongs” to mean two sets
✗ I bought two tongs yesterday.
✓ I bought two pairs of tongs yesterday.
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.
Other words like this: scissors, glasses, trousers, shorts, jeans, pants. They are all always plural, and you use “a pair of” for one.
Test Yourself: Tongs or Tong?
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. Can you hand me _______? I need to turn the meat.
2. She bought a new _______ of tongs for the barbecue.
3. The tongs _______ next to the grill. Do not touch them.
4. We need three _______ of tongs for the cooking class.
5. _______ are the best tool for picking up hot food.
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You just learned how “tongs” works — a plural-only noun that you count with “pairs.” That is one more tricky word you will never get wrong again.
But tongs is not the only tool like this. There is another everyday tool that follows the exact same rule — you cannot say “a scissor.” Do you know why we always say scissors? And what happens when you need to talk about more than one pair?
Next lesson: What’s the Plural of Scissors?
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My name is Khamis Maiouf. I am the creator of the English Teacher Site, dedicated to providing valuable resources and insights for students around the world. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students enhance their skills, I aim to make English teaching more effective and enjoyable for both educators and students.
