Difference between revisions of "Invariant plural"
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| − | An '''uninflected plural''' or ''' | + | An '''uninflected plural''', '''zero plural''', or '''invariant plural''' is a [[plural]] [[noun]] that is identical to its [[singular]] form and is therefore an [[irregular plural]]. |
Examples in [[English]] include: | Examples in [[English]] include: | ||
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Animals - deer, fish (usually), rhinoceros, sheep, swine, etc. | Animals - deer, fish (usually), rhinoceros, sheep, swine, etc. | ||
| − | Also | + | Also some [[Latin plural]]s, e.g. "species", |
| − | Some words have both an uninflected plural and a [[regular plural]] that is | + | Some words have both an uninflected plural and an [[inflected plural]]; in the vast majority of (all?) cases this is a [[regular plural]] that is with [[plural -s]]. Examples? |
Learners may [[over-regularise]] plurals and say things like *"sheeps", etc. They just have to be learnt. | Learners may [[over-regularise]] plurals and say things like *"sheeps", etc. They just have to be learnt. | ||
[[category:plurals]] | [[category:plurals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:45, 20 May 2020
An uninflected plural, zero plural, or invariant plural is a plural noun that is identical to its singular form and is therefore an irregular plural.
Examples in English include:
Animals - deer, fish (usually), rhinoceros, sheep, swine, etc.
Also some Latin plurals, e.g. "species",
Some words have both an uninflected plural and an inflected plural; in the vast majority of (all?) cases this is a regular plural that is with plural -s. Examples?
Learners may over-regularise plurals and say things like *"sheeps", etc. They just have to be learnt.
