Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Life Coaching Tips using Creative Mnemonic Devices

Basic English Rule on Singular and Plural Expressions of Noncount Nouns

List of Idiomatic Phrases

Though there are many rules in english on count--also categorized under mass nouns--and non-count nouns, students get confused especially while handling non-count nouns. Whether to add "s" at the end of the words or not? What is the plural word for non-count nouns? And so on. Here is a list of noncount nouns that always carry an idiomatic expression.

Memorize the following singular and plural idiomatic expressions examples

A piece of advice two pieces of advice
a piece of bread two pieces of bread
a piece of equipment two pieces of equipment
a piece of furniture two pieces of furniture
a piece of information two pieces of information
a piece of jewelry two pieces of jewelry
a piece of luggage two pieces of luggage
a piece of mail two pieces of mail
a piece of music two pieces of music
a piece of news two pieces of news
a piece of toast two pieces of toast
a loaf of bread two loaves of bread
a slice of bread two slices of bread
an ear of corn two ears of corn
a bar of soap two bars of soap
a bolt of lighting two bolts of lighting
a clap of thunder two claps of thunder
a gust of wind two gusts of wind

More example sentences that contain singular and plural expressions of noncount nouns:

Non-standard: A mail travels faster when the zip code is mentioned on the letter.
Standard: A piece of mail travels faster when the zip code is mentioned on the letter.

Non-standard: Is there a limit of two carry-on luggages for each passenger?
Standard: Is there a limit of two pieces of carry-on luggage for each passenger?

Non-standard: Each furniture in this showroom is imported from Tailand.
Standard: Each piece of furniture in this showroom is imported from Tailand.

Non-standard: I'd like a steak, a salad, and a corn's ear with butter.
Standard: I'd like a steak, a salad, and an ear of corn with butter.

Non-standard: The department of medicine purchased a new equipment to diagnose the cancer disease.
Standard: The department of medicine purchased a new piece of equipment to diagnose the cancer disease.

Non-standard: A pop song is a popular music.
Standard: A pop song is a piece of popular music.

Non-standard: I have two soaps.
Standard: I have two bars of soap.
Non-standard: Hybrids have one more corn per plant than the other varieties.
Standard: Hybrids have one more ear of corn per plant than the other varieties.

Non-standard: A wind blew on my car.
Standard: A gusts of wind blew on my car.

So, avoid using the noncount noun without the singular or plural idiom to express singular or plural. 

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