100 mistakes not to make

 83. Nouns that do not have a singular form

 Some nouns do not have a singular form. 

Examples are: oats, cattle, pants, scissors, tongs, shears, trousers, binoculars, shorts and tweezers. 

We cannot say a pants or a cattle. • The tongs were by the fireplace. (NOT The tong was by the fireplace.)

 • Tweezers are useful when handling stamps. (NOT A tweezer is useful when handling stamps.)

 The singular aspect of the word is usually indicated by using 'a pair of'. 

Compare: 

• The scissors are in the drawer. 

• A pair of scissors is in the drawer.

 • The garden shears were used to clip the hedge. 

• A pair of garden shears was used to clip the hedge.

 • Trousers were hanging in the cupboard. 

• A pair of trousers was hanging in the cupboard.