49- Singular Nouns Ending In ‘s’

Question 1

Mathematics

Answer 1

1 the science of numbers and of shapes, including algebra, geometry, and arithmetic

2 the calculations that are involved in a particular situation or plan

GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
• In meaning 1, mathematics is followed by a singular verb:
Mathematics is her best subject at school.
• In meaning 2, mathematics can be followed by a singular or plural verb:
The mathematics of the project is/are very complicated.

Question 2

Politics

Answer 2

1 [uncountable] ideas and activities relating to gaining and using power in a country, city etc → political, politician
a good understanding of politics in China
modern American politics
Politics have always interested Anita.
national/local etc politics
Brooke’s been involved in city politics since college.
The president should stand above party politics (=working only for your political party).
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
• In this meaning, politics is usually followed by a singular verb:
Politics plays no part in this decision.
• In British English, you can also use a plural verb:
Politics play no part in this decision.
2 [uncountable] the profession of being a politician
Flynn retired from politics in 1986.
Her father’s trying to enter politics.
Smith went into politics in his early twenties.
3 [plural] the activities of people who are concerned with gaining personal advantage within a group, organization etc
I’m tired of dealing with all of the office politics.
Her art examines sexual politics (=how power is shared between men and women).
the politics of something
the politics of race and class at American universities
4 [plural] someone’s political beliefs and opinions
I assume her politics must be fairly conservative.
5 [uncountable] especially British English the study of political power and systems of government SYN political science
Tom is studying for a degree in politics.
COLLOCATIONS
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + POLITICS
national politics
Mark had always been keen to have a career in national politics.
local politics
Ann is very active in local politics.
international politics
The two superpowers that dominated international politics.
world/global politics
There was much going on in world politics at the time.
domestic politics (=within a country)
The war had a major impact on the country’s domestic politics.
party politics (=trying to make your party successful)
He believes that party politics has no place in local government.
power politics (=attempting to get power by using or threatening to use force)
The party argued that power politics would always lead to war.

Question 3

Electronics

Answer 3

1 [uncountable] the study or industry of making equipment, such as computers and televisions, that work electronically
electronics company/industry/firm etc
an electronics engineer
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
In this meaning, electronics is followed by a singular verb:
Electronics deals with electrical circuits that have active components.
2 [plural] electronic equipment

Question 4

Economics

Answer 4

1 [uncountable] the study of the way in which money and goods are produced and used → economic
a Harvard professor of economics
2 [plural] the way in which money influences whether a plan, business etc will work effectively
the economics of the scheme
→ home economics
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
• In meaning 1, economics is followed by a singular verb:
Economics is often studied with politics.
• In meaning 2, economics is followed by a plural verb:
The economics do not add up.

Question 5

Physics

Answer 5

the science concerned with the study of physical objects and substances, and of natural forces such as light, heat, and movement
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
Physics is followed by a singular verb:
To me, physics is a fascinating subject.

Question 6

Statistics

Answer 6

a) [plural] a set of numbers which represent facts or measurements
the official crime statistics
statistics for
statistics for injuries at work
Statistics show that 50% of new businesses fail in their first year.
b) [uncountable] the science of collecting and examining such numbers
Statistics is a branch of mathematics.

Question 7

Acoustics

Answer 7

1 [plural] the shape and size of a room, which affect the way sound is heard in it
The hall has excellent acoustics.

2 [uncountable] the scientific study of sound

GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
• In meaning 1, acoustics is followed by a plural verb:
The acoustics in here are terrible.

• In meaning 2, acoustics is followed by a singular verb:
Acoustics is the science of sound waves.

Question 8

Mechanics

Answer 8

a) the science that deals with the effects of forces on objects
fluid mechanics
→ quantum mechanics
b) the study of machines
He is studying mechanics at college.

Question 9

Linguistics

Answer 9

lin‧guis‧tics /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/ ●○○ noun [uncountable]
the study of language in general and of particular languages, their structure, grammar, and history
→ philology
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
Linguistics is followed by a singular verb:
Linguistics is the scientific study of language.

Question 10

Arabics

Question 11

Genetics

Answer 11

the study of how the qualities of living things are passed on in their genes
—geneticist /-tɪsɪst/ noun [countable]
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
Genetics is followed by a singular verb:
Genetics is the study of genes.

Question 12

Thermodynamics

Answer 12

the science that deals with the relationship between heat and other forms of energy

Question 13

Aeronautics

Answer 13

the science of designing and flying planes

Question 14

Aerobics

Question 15

News

Question 16

Series

Question 17

Species

Answer 17

a group of animals or plants whose members are similar and can breed together to produce young animals or plants → genus
Seven species of birds of prey have been observed.
pandas and other endangered species (=ones that may soon no longer exist)
► see thesaurus at animal
COLLOCATIONS
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + SPECIES
endangered (=used about a species of which there are very few still alive, so that it may soon not exist)
The park is a sanctuary for 41 endangered species.
protected
Elephants are a protected species in Indonesia.
rare
The area contains many rare species of plants.
common
Here you will see most of the common species of African wildlife.
extinct (=no longer existing)
About a hundred species are becoming extinct every day.
new (=not known about before, or not existing before )
A new species of spider has been discovered in a field in Cambridgeshire.
native (=having always been in a particular country)
Desert broom is a species native to Arizona.
bird/animal/plant species
You can see many different bird species on the canal.
VERBS
a species is found somewhere
This species is found only in the Southern Hemisphere.
a species lives somewhere (=used about animals)
Many rainforest species cannot live anywhere else.
a species grows somewhere (=used about plants)
The species grows wild in Europe.

Question 18

Means

Answer 18

1 METHOD [countable] a way of doing or achieving something
means of
For most people, the car is still their main means of transport.
The only means of communication was sign language.
The window was our only means of escape.
Do you have any means of identification?
art as a means of expression
Homework should not be used as a means of controlling children.
I had no means of telling him I would be late.
Brian was prepared to use any means to get what he wanted.
They had entered the country by unlawful means.
the means by which performance is assessed
► see thesaurus at method
2 MONEY [plural] the money or income that you have
have the means to do something
I don’t have the means to support a family.
Paying for your children to go to a private school is beyond the means of most people (=too expensive for most people).
Try to live within your means (=only spending what you can afford).
His father was a man of means (=a rich man).
3 → by all means!
4 → by no means/not by any means
5 → by means of something
6 → a means to an end
7 → the means of production
→ ways and means1(1)
COLLOCATIONS
ADJECTIVES
an effective/efficient means
Speed bumps are an effective means of stopping cars from going too fast.
a useful means
Local radio is a useful means of advertising.
the only means
Then, horses and carts were the only means of transport available.
the best means
Is this really the best means of achieving our goal?
an important means
Surveys are an important means of gathering information.
lawful/legal means
Their protests will continue, but only by legal means.
unlawful/illegal means
He was accused of attempting to overthrow the government using unlawful means.
unfair means
Anyone trying to use unfair means in an examination will be reported to the University.
PHRASES
a means of transport British English, a means of transportation American English (=a way of travelling, for example using a car, bus, bicycle etc)
The tram is an efficient means of transport.
a means of communication (=a way of talking to someone, for example by phone, writing etc)
Newspapers are still an important means of communication.
a means of expression (=a way of expressing your feelings or opinions)
Music and art are important means of expression.
a means of identification (=an official document that shows who you are)
Do you have any means of identification?
the means of production (=factories and equipment used for producing goods – used especially in Marxism)
the class of people which owns the means of production
the end justifies the means (=the result you achieve is more important than the way you do it)
It’s too bad if people get hurt - the end justifies the means.
a means to an end (=something you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important)
Many of the students saw the course as a means to an end: a way of getting a good job.
(whether) by fair means or foul (=using unfair methods if necessary)
They were determined to achieve victory, by fair means or foul.
VERBS
have no/any/some means of doing something
There was no path, and they had no means of knowing where they were.
use any/every means to do something (=use any method or many methods)
He will use any means to get what he wants.

Question 19

Billiards

Question 20

Diabetes

Answer 20

a serious disease in which there is too much sugar in your blood
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
Diabetes is followed by a singular verb:
Diabetes is linked to obesity.

Question 21

Measles

Answer 21

آبله مرغون

an infectious illness in which you have a fever and small red spots on your face and body. People often have measles when they are children.
→ German measles
GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?
Measles is followed by a singular verb:
Measles is potentially a very serious illness.