Nouns name people, places, things, and abstract ideas. While they seem basic, nouns cause numerous errors in competitive exams due to irregular plurals and uncountable nouns masquerading as plurals.
Rule 1: Nouns that are Always Singular (Uncountable)
These nouns never take -s or -es and always take singular verbs: scenery, furniture, advice, information, luggage, baggage, poetry, machinery, news.
Incorrect: The furnitures are very old.
Correct: The furniture is very old.
Correct: The news is encouraging.
Rule 2: Nouns with Two Symmetrical Parts (Always Plural)
Items made of two linked halves are always plural and take plural verbs: scissors, trousers, eyeglasses, binoculars, tongs. To make them singular, use "a pair of".
Correct: The scissors are sharp.
Correct: A pair of scissors was purchased.