Grammar difficulties - plural forms

ScottsEnglish

Students often confuse singular and plural forms

A student recently wrote, "Immigrants to America often send money back to their country."

I marked this wrong, why?

Because many different immigrants come from many different countries.

A fellow teacher addressed her students, saying, "Get it into your head, class starts at 8 am." 

Again, this is wrong, many different students have many different heads.

It is possible for a group to possess one thing, though. For example, "The English are proud of their country." Many English people, but only one country.

Be careful, though. Words like "every" are actually singular! Everyone is going to bring a meal. 

Singular or Plural?

1. I asked the children to put their ________________ (glass) back after the snack.

2. Students need to bring their __________________ (book) to class tomorrow.

3. Every apartment has ____________________ (parking space).

4. The workers sat in front of ________________________ (computer) all day.

5. The farmers blocked the road with __________________________ to protest the fuel hike.

Click here for the correct answers:

1. I asked the children to put their glasses back after the snack.

2. Students need to bring their books to class tomorrow.

3. Every apartment has a parking space.

4. The workers sat in front of computers all day.

5. The farmers blocked the road with tractors to protest the fuel hike.