ENGLISHNoun

Singular/Plural of nouns ending in ‘ics’

A number of words ending in ‘ics’ which are plural in form, normally take a singular verb; e.g.

1. acoustics 3. classics 5. ethics 7. linguistics 9. physics
2. athletics 4. electronics 6. genetics 8. mathematics 10. politics
11. statistics

ACOUSTICS = the branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound. CLASSICS = a subject at school or university which involves the study of ancient Greek and Latin literature, philosophy, and history; e.g. an honours degree in Classics. ETHICS = the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles. LINGUISTICS = The study of the nature, structure, and variation of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics

a) Mathematics is not an easy subject.
b) Mathematics is my favourite study.
c) Economics is one of the oldest of the social sciences.
d) Politics plays a big role in our life.

NOTE: But when these nouns are preceded by THE or any POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE (my, our, your, his, her, etc.) they take plural verbs; e.g.

a) Her mathematics are weak.
b) Your mathematics are not very good.
c) The economics of the situation have yet to be explored. (means the economic facts)
d) What are his politics? (means his political views)

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Maha Gupta

Maha Gupta

Founder of www.examscomp.com and guiding aspirants on SSC exam affairs since 2010 when objective pattern of exams was introduced first in SSC. Also the author of the following books:

1. Maha English Grammar (for Competitive Exams)
2. Maha English Practice Sets (for Competitive Exams)

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