What’s the Plural of Scissors? A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the nuances of pluralization in English can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to words like “scissors.” Is it “scissor,” “scissors,” or something else entirely? This seemingly simple question opens up a fascinating exploration into the world of English grammar, specifically dealing with nouns that are inherently plural. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding why “scissors” is always plural, how it’s used correctly, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re an ESL student, a grammar enthusiast, or simply looking to brush up on your English skills, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently use “scissors” in your writing and speech.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: Noun Plurality and “Scissors”
- Structural Breakdown: Why “Scissors” is Plural
- Types of Plural Nouns: A Broader Perspective
- Examples of “Scissors” in Sentences
- Usage Rules: Correctly Using “Scissors”
- Common Mistakes: Avoiding Errors with “Scissors”
- Practice Exercises: Test Your Knowledge
- Advanced Topics: “Scissors” in Idioms and Figurative Language
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition: Noun Plurality and “Scissors”
In English grammar, nouns can be singular or plural. Singular nouns refer to one item, while plural nouns refer to more than one. The plural form of most nouns is created by adding “-s” or “-es” to the end of the word. However, some nouns are inherently plural, meaning they are always used in their plural form, even when referring to a single object. “Scissors” falls into this category.
Scissors is a noun that refers to a cutting instrument consisting of two blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles are closed. The key characteristic is that it has two parts working together. Because of this dual nature, the word is treated as plural, even if you’re only talking about one pair of scissors.
This type of noun is often referred to as a plurale tantum, a Latin term meaning “plural only.” These nouns typically refer to objects that have two identical or symmetrical parts. Other examples include pants, glasses (spectacles), and tongs.
Structural Breakdown: Why “Scissors” is Plural
The reason “scissors” is always plural lies in its physical structure. A pair of scissors consists of two blades that are joined at a pivot point. These two blades work together to perform the cutting action. The English language treats objects with two distinct but connected parts as plural because each part is essential to the function of the whole.
Think of it this way: you can’t have “half a scissor” that functions as a cutting tool. Both blades are required. This inherent duality dictates the plural form. This concept is similar to other items like “pants,” which have two legs, or “glasses,” which have two lenses.
Therefore, grammatically, it is incorrect to say “a scissor.” The correct way to refer to one pair of scissors is “a pair of scissors.” The word “pair” indicates that you are referring to one complete item, but the noun “scissors” itself remains in its plural form.
Types of Plural Nouns: A Broader Perspective
Understanding that “scissors” is a plurale tantum noun is easier when we consider the different categories of plural nouns in English. Here’s a breakdown:
Regular Plural Nouns
These are the most common type of plural nouns, formed by adding “-s” or “-es” to the singular form. Examples include:
- Cat – Cats
- Dog – Dogs
- Book – Books
- Box – Boxes
- Church – Churches
Irregular Plural Nouns
These nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow the standard “-s” or “-es” rule. Examples include:
- Child – Children
- Man – Men
- Woman – Women
- Tooth – Teeth
- Foot – Feet
Uncountable Nouns
These nouns represent things that cannot be counted and typically do not have a plural form. Examples include:
- Water
- Air
- Information
- Advice
- Furniture
Plurale Tantum Nouns
As mentioned earlier, these nouns are always plural and do not have a singular form. “Scissors” belongs to this category, along with other examples such as:
- Pants
- Glasses (spectacles)
- Tongs
- Tweezers
- Headphones
Examples of “Scissors” in Sentences
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at various examples of “scissors” used in sentences. These examples will demonstrate the correct grammatical usage in different contexts.
General Use
These examples show the basic usage of “scissors” in everyday sentences.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I need to buy a new pair of scissors. | Refers to one set of scissors. |
| Where are my scissors? | Referring to a specific pair of scissors. |
| These scissors are very sharp. | Describing the quality of the scissors. |
| She uses scissors to cut the fabric. | Describing the action of using scissors. |
| The scissors are on the table. | Indicating the location of the scissors. |
| Can you hand me the scissors? | Asking for the scissors to be passed over. |
| The child is playing with scissors (supervised, of course!). | Describing an action involving scissors. |
| These are the best scissors I’ve ever owned. | Expressing an opinion about the scissors. |
| Have you seen my good dressmaking scissors? | Asking if someone has seen your scissors. |
| My sewing kit includes a pair of scissors. | Listing the contents of a sewing kit. |
| I need a pair of scissors to open this package. | Explaining the purpose of needing scissors. |
| The teacher confiscated the scissors from the student. | Describing an action taken by the teacher. |
| She keeps her scissors in a drawer. | Indicating where the scissors are stored. |
| The scissors are dull and need sharpening. | Describing the condition of the scissors. |
| He accidentally cut himself with the scissors. | Describing an accident involving scissors. |
| I bought a new pair of crafting scissors. | Specifying the type of scissors purchased. |
| The tailor always has a pair of scissors handy. | Describing a habit of the tailor. |
| These scissors are perfect for cutting paper. | Indicating the suitability of the scissors. |
| She is using scissors to make a collage. | Describing an art project using scissors. |
| The scissors are an essential tool for hairdressers. | Highlighting the importance of scissors in a profession. |
Using Quantifiers
These examples show how to use quantifiers (like “some,” “many,” “few”) with “scissors.”
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I have several pairs of scissors in my craft room. | Using “several” to indicate multiple pairs. |
| How many pairs of scissors do you need? | Asking about the quantity of scissors. |
| There are a few pairs of scissors in the drawer. | Using “a few” to indicate a small number of pairs. |
| I only need one pair of scissors for this project. | Specifying the need for only one pair. |
| She has numerous pairs of scissors for different tasks. | Using “numerous” to indicate a large number of pairs. |
| Some pairs of scissors are better than others. | Comparing different scissors. |
| I saw a couple of pairs of scissors at the store. | Indicating that you saw two pairs. |
| She owns a multitude of scissors for her tailoring business. | Using “multitude” to emphasize a large quantity. |
| I borrowed a number of scissors from my neighbor. | Indicating that you borrowed several pairs. |
| A good many of the scissors are old. | Using “a good many” to indicate a significant number. |
| I don’t have any pairs of scissors with me. | Stating that you have no scissors. |
| Most pairs of scissors are made of metal. | Generalizing about the material of scissors. |
| A lot of pairs of scissors are available online. | Indicates that many pairs of scissors are sold online. |
| Quite a few pairs of scissors were donated to the school. | Showing that several pairs were donated. |
| Only a few pairs of scissors are sharp enough. | Stating that only a small number are sharp. |
| I have a great many pairs of scissors for crafting. | Emphasizing a large number of scissors. |
| A large number of pairs of scissors are needed for the project. | Specifying the quantity needed. |
| Several pairs of scissors were on sale. | Indicating that multiple pairs were discounted. |
| I possess numerous pairs of scissors for various tasks. | Highlighting the variety of scissors. |
| There are only a few pairs of scissors left in stock. | Indicating limited availability. |
Descriptive Adjectives
These examples show how to use adjectives to describe “scissors.”
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| These sharp scissors cut through paper easily. | Describing the scissors as “sharp.” |
| The old scissors are rusty and difficult to use. | Describing the scissors as “old” and “rusty.” |
| She bought a new pair of ergonomic scissors. | Describing the scissors as “ergonomic.” |
| The blunt scissors tore the fabric instead of cutting it. | Describing the scissors as “blunt.” |
| These small scissors are perfect for detailed work. | Describing the scissors as “small.” |
| I need a pair of heavy-duty scissors for this project. | Describing the scissors as “heavy-duty.” |
| The professional scissors are very expensive. | Describing the scissors as “professional.” |
| The crafting scissors have colorful handles. | Describing the scissors as “crafting” and “colorful.” |
| These antique scissors are a family heirloom. | Describing the scissors as “antique.” |
| The surgical scissors must be sterilized before use. | Describing the scissors as “surgical.” |
| The tailor uses precise scissors for cutting patterns. | Describing the scissors as “precise.” |
| I prefer lightweight scissors for everyday tasks. | Describing the scissors as “lightweight.” |
| The garden scissors are used for trimming plants. | Describing the scissors as “garden.” |
| The electric scissors make cutting fabric easy. | Describing the scissors as “electric.” |
| The safety scissors are designed for children. | Describing the scissors as “safety.” |
| The embroidery scissors are small and sharp. | Describing the scissors as “embroidery.” |
| The pinking scissors create a zigzag edge. | Describing the scissors as “pinking.” |
| The titanium scissors are durable and rust-resistant. | Describing the scissors as “titanium.” |
| The left-handed scissors are designed for left-handed users. | Describing the scissors as “left-handed.” |
| The fabric scissors are used exclusively for cutting cloth. | Describing the scissors as “fabric.” |
Usage Rules: Correctly Using “Scissors”
The primary rule to remember is that “scissors” is always plural. Here are some additional usage rules to guide you:
- Use “pair of scissors” to refer to one set: “I need a pair of scissors.”
- Use plural verbs with “scissors”: “The scissors are on the table.”
- Use plural pronouns with “scissors”: “These scissors are mine; they are very sharp.”
- When quantifying, use “pairs of scissors”: “I have three pairs of scissors.”
- Adjectives come before “scissors”: “sharp scissors,” “old scissors,” etc.
It’s crucial to avoid using “scissor” as a singular form. This is a common mistake, but it’s grammatically incorrect.
Common Mistakes: Avoiding Errors with “Scissors”
Here’s a table highlighting common mistakes and their correct forms:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I need a scissor. | I need a pair of scissors. | “Scissor” is not a singular form. |
| The scissor is on the table. | The scissors are on the table. | “Scissors” requires a plural verb. |
| This scissor is mine. | These scissors are mine. | “Scissors” requires a plural demonstrative pronoun. |
| I have two scissor. | I have two pairs of scissors. | Quantify using “pairs of scissors.” |
| Give me that scissor. | Give me those scissors. | Use the plural demonstrative pronoun. |
| Where is the scissor? | Where are the scissors? | Use plural verb with “scissors”. |
| The scissor is very sharp. | The scissors are very sharp. | The correct plural form with the correct verb. |
Practice Exercises: Test Your Knowledge
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “scissors” and the appropriate verb form.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I need a new ______ of ______ because mine are dull. | 1. I need a new pair of scissors because mine are dull. |
| 2. Where ______ my ______? I can’t find them. | 2. Where are my scissors? I can’t find them. |
| 3. ______ these ______ yours? | 3. Are these scissors yours? |
| 4. She has three ______ of ______ in her sewing kit. | 4. She has three pairs of scissors in her sewing kit. |
| 5. The ______ on the table ______ very sharp. | 5. The scissors on the table are very sharp. |
| 6. Can you pass me the ______? I need to cut this paper. | 6. Can you pass me the scissors? I need to cut this paper. |
| 7. I bought a ______ of ______ for my crafting project. | 7. I bought a pair of scissors for my crafting project. |
| 8. The ______ that I use for fabric ______ very precise. | 8. The scissors that I use for fabric are very precise. |
| 9. How many ______ of ______ do you own? | 9. How many pairs of scissors do you own? |
| 10. These ______ not suitable for cutting thick cardboard. | 10. These scissors are not suitable for cutting thick cardboard. |
Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I found a scissor in the drawer. | 1. I found a pair of scissors in the drawer. |
| 2. The scissor is very useful for cutting paper. | 2. The scissors are very useful for cutting paper. |
| 3. This scissor belongs to my sister. | 3. These scissors belong to my sister. |
| 4. She only has one scissor. | 4. She only has one pair of scissors. |
| 5. Where is the scissor that I lent you? | 5. Where are the scissors that I lent you? |
| 6. I need to buy a new scissor for sewing. | 6. I need to buy a new pair of scissors for sewing. |
| 7. That scissor is very sharp. | 7. Those scissors are very sharp. |
| 8. The scissor are on the table. | 8. The scissors are on the table. |
| 9. I have many scissor in my craft room. | 9. I have many pairs of scissors in my craft room. |
| 10. Give me that scissor, please. | 10. Give me those scissors, please. |
Advanced Topics: “Scissors” in Idioms and Figurative Language
While “scissors” doesn’t feature prominently in many common idioms, understanding its plural nature is still crucial when it appears in figurative language or specialized contexts.
For example, you might encounter phrases like “cutting with scissors” metaphorically to describe a precise and deliberate action. However, even in these contexts, the plural form “scissors” remains consistent.
In technical or professional fields, such as surgery or tailoring, specific types of scissors are often mentioned. For instance, “surgical scissors” or “tailor’s scissors.” Again, the word “scissors” maintains its plural form, regardless of the specific type being referenced. The use of specific adjectives before “scissors” simply clarifies the type of scissors being discussed.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the pluralization of “scissors”:
- Why is “scissors” always plural?
“Scissors” is always plural because it refers to a tool with two blades working together. This dual nature necessitates the plural form, making it a plurale tantum noun. - Can I say “a scissor” if I only have one pair?
No, you cannot say “a scissor.” The correct way to refer to one pair of scissors is “a pair of scissors.” The word “pair” indicates that you are referring to one complete item. - Is it correct to say “scissor” in any context?
No, “scissor” is not a grammatically correct singular form in standard English. Always use “scissors.” - What other words are like “scissors”?
Other words that are always plural include pants, glasses (spectacles), tongs, tweezers, and headphones. These items typically consist of two symmetrical or connected parts. - How do I use quantifiers with “scissors”?
Use “pairs of scissors” when quantifying. For example, “I have three pairs of scissors,” or “How many pairs of scissors do you need?” - What if I’m talking about a specific type of scissors, like surgical scissors?
Even when referring to a specific type of scissors, the word remains plural. For example, “surgical scissors are used in operating rooms,” or “tailor’s scissors are very sharp.” - Is “scissors” considered a countable or uncountable noun?
While “scissors” itself is always plural, it’s typically used with a quantifier like “pair,” making it function similarly to a countable noun when you’re referring to a specific set. So, you count “pairs of scissors,” not just “scissors.” - What is the origin of the word “scissors” and why is it plural?
The word “scissors” comes from the Old French word “cisoires,” which was plural. This plural form was adopted into English and has remained consistent due to the tool’s two-bladed design.
Conclusion
Understanding the plural nature of “scissors” is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. By recognizing that “scissors” is a plurale tantum noun, you can avoid common errors and communicate more effectively. Remember to always use “scissors” in its plural form and to use “pair of scissors” when referring to a single set. With the knowledge and practice provided in this guide, you can confidently use “scissors” in your writing and speech, ensuring grammatical accuracy and clarity.
Mastering these nuances will not only improve your grammar but also enhance your overall understanding of the English language. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to review this guide whenever you need a refresher. Happy cutting!
