Errors in the Use of Nouns (5)-Grammar Puzzle Solved-53

Double Plural Nouns Error-Rule No. 17

Many learners face a serious challenge called the double plural nouns error. This mistake appears when a writer tries to make a noun plural even though the noun is already plural or uncountable. As a result, the sentence looks awkward, unnatural, and incorrect. Therefore, it is essential to understand which nouns should not take another “s” at the end.

Rule Explanation

Some nouns already carry a plural sense by nature. Others, on the other hand, never change form between singular and plural. When students add “s” or “es” to such nouns, the result creates a double plural nouns error. For example, the word furniture is uncountable and always remains singular in form. It never takes a plural ending because it refers to a collective category. Yet students often make the mistake of writing furnitures, which is always wrong. The correct sentence is: He bought new furniture for his house. Similarly, the noun equipment stays the same in both singular and plural usage.

Therefore, we say, The soldiers carried heavy equipment into the camp, not equipments. In the same way, luggage also refuses a plural ending. Hence, the right sentence is: Her luggage was left at the station, not Her luggages were left at the station.✅ I bought new furniture for my house.
❌ I bought new furnitures for my house.

Similarly, the noun offspring already refers to one or more children or animals born to a parent. Adding “s” creates a false plural:
✅ The tiger protected her offspring.
❌ The tiger protected her offsprings.

Common Nouns with No Plural Form

Here are some common nouns that never take “s”:

Noun	❌ Wrong plural	✅ Correct usage
furniture	furnitures	We need more furniture.
equipment	equipments	They brought their equipment.
offspring	offsprings	Birds feed their offspring carefully.
luggage	luggages	Her luggage is very heavy.
poetry	poetries	He writes beautiful poetry.

Nouns with Same Singular and Plural Form

Some nouns remain the same in both singular and plural. When learners add “s” to them, they commit the double plural nouns error.

✅ One sheep is in the field.
✅ Five sheep are in the field.
❌ Five sheeps are in the field.

✅ A deer ran across the road.
✅ Many deer live in the forest.
❌ Many deers live in the forest.

Other examples include fish, salmon, trout, moose.
✅ He caught three fish.
❌ He caught three fishes. (Correct only in biology for species types.)

Abstract Nouns Misused as Plural

Abstract nouns like advice, knowledge, and progress often look plural in meaning because they describe ideas that seem countless. However, these nouns are actually uncountable, so they never take a plural form. Writers, however, often make the double plural nouns error by creating false plurals such as advices or knowledges. The correct usage is always singular in form. For example, we say, She gave me useful advice, not She gave me useful advices. In the same way, we say, He gained much knowledge from his teacher, not He gained many knowledges from his teacher.

Likewise, we use progress without “s.” Therefore, the correct form is, The team made steady progress during the season, not The team made steady progresses during the season. Instead of forcing a plural, we can use partitive expressions for clarity. Hence, we may say pieces of advice, items of information, or steps of progress when we need to emphasize separate units.

❌ She gave me three advices.
✅ She gave me three pieces of advice.

❌ I gained many knowledges.
✅ I gained a lot of knowledge.

❌ They made many progresses.
✅ They made a lot of progress.

Why the Error Happens

Learners often assume that all nouns take “s” in plural. However, English has many exceptions. Therefore, memorizing such nouns and practicing them regularly will prevent the double plural nouns error. Reading authentic English materials also helps because correct usage gets reinforced through repetition.

Practice Tip

Whenever you feel confused, try to check a good dictionary. Look for whether the noun is countable or uncountable. If it is uncountable, do not add “s”. Instead, use partitive phrases like pieces of furniture, items of equipment, or bits of information.

Summary

To summarize, students must learn which nouns:

• never take “s” (furniture, equipment, luggage),
• stay the same in plural (sheep, deer, fish),
• are abstract and uncountable (advice, knowledge, progress).

By doing so, they will avoid the double plural nouns error in writing and speaking. Constant practice, clear examples, and careful observation will improve their grammar and communication.

---

Singular and Plural Possessives: https://grammarpuzzlesolved.englishlitnotes.com/singular-and-plural-possessives/

For grammar lessons, visit ChatGPT to explore the platform and interact with the AI: https://chat.openai.com

For English and American literature and grammar, visit Google:https://www.google.com