Nouns that exist only in the plural

[symbolipoint]

Scissors half?

Rethinking that, maybe each piece should be called, "scissor".

 

[hutchphd]

Each of your front teeth is called an "incisor" after all. Surely from the same root (etymologically not dentally)..

 

[symbolipoint]

Each of your front teeth is called an "incisor" after all. Surely from the same root (etymologically not dentally)..

This should have been easy to recognize, so now, having spent the effort to have thought through it seems to should have been a much lighter effort.

 

[rsk]

Unless I've missed it (or missed the point) no one has mentioned the word people yet.

 

[Vanadium 50]

noone has mentioned the word people yet.

Peoples of the world.

 

[rsk]

Peoples of the world.

Hmm, so it's a word with two plurals then.

I've never heard 'the people is' , only ever 'the people are'

 

[phinds]

Hmm, so it's a word with two plurals then.

I've never heard 'the people is' , only ever 'the people are'

No, peoples in the context that Vanadium used it is singular.

 

[rsk]

No, peoples in the context that Vanadium used it is singular.

I can't think of a single example where 'people' would be used with the singular form of the verb.

Someone give me an example and convince me please!

 

[symbolipoint]

I can't think of a single example where 'people' would be used with the singular form of the verb.

Someone give me an example and convince me please!

I see no problem using in making use of a choice of "people" or "peoples"; only in analyzing each of them. Telling us the details is the work of a true linguist.

If you only want to focus on 1 or more specific individuals or maybe some individuals who are difficult to specify, may choose either "person" or "persons".

 

[waternohitter]

'People' is the plural version of 'Person' 99% of the time.