Английский язык. Экспресс-репетитор для подготовки к ЕГЭ. «Грамматика и лексика» - стр. 3

• Collective nouns: baggage, cutlery, furniture, jewellery, luggage, machinery, money, rubbish, stationery, etc.

• Many uncountable nouns can be made countable by adding a partitive: a piece of paper/cake/advice/information/furniture; a slice/loaf of bread; a(n) item/piece of news, etc.

• Some nouns take only a plural verb. These are objects consisting of two parts: garments (pyjamas, trousers, etc), tools (scissors, etc), instruments (binoculars, compasses, spectacles, etc), or nouns such as: arms, ashes, barracks, clothes, congratulations, earnings, (good) looks, outskirts, people, police, premises, riches, stairs, surroundings, wages, etc.

• Group nouns refer to a group of people. These nouns can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on whether we see the group as a whole or as individuals. Such group nouns are: army, audience, class, club, committee, company, council, crew, crowd, headquarters, family, jury, government, press, public, staff, team, etc.

The team was the best. (the team as a group)

The team were all given medals. (each member separately as individuals)

• With expressions of duration, distance or money meaning ‘a whole amount’ we use a singular verb: Two years is long to wait. Three miles is a long way to go. Nine thousand pounds is a high price to pay.

Test 6. Fill in: is or are.

1. Your trousers _____ in the wardrobe.

2. Where______ his scissors?

3. There_____ a lecture on history today.

4. The shopping________ heavy.

5. Where_____ my gloves?

6. This information______ correct.

7. His hair_____ brown.

8. My socks_____ in the drawer.

9. Our furniture_____ very cheap.

10. His accommodation_____ luxurious.

11. Evidence_____ needed before the trial can continue.

12. The news_____ very exciting.

13. Mumps_____ a common illness among children.

14. My glasses_____ on the table.

15. Chinese_____ difficult to learn.

16. Where_____ the kitchen scales?

17. Billiards_____ a popular game.

18. His work_____ very interesting.

19. People_____ starving in some countries.

20. Education_____ the key to his success.

Test 7. Fill in: is or are.

1. Where_____ your trousers?

2. Could you tell me where_____ the scissors?

3. Tonight, there _____ athletics on TV.

4. Money_____ easy to spend and difficult to save.

5. Gloves_____ worn in cold weather.

6. This student’s knowledge_____ amazing.

7. Love_____ reason for much happiness.

8. This bread_____ stale.

9. Your jeans_____ on the chair.

10. His baggage_____ too heavy to carry.

11. Her advice _____ very interesting.

12. Mathematics_____ his favourite subject.