Is News Plural or Singular: The Grammar Guide You Need

Understand whether news is plural or singular

The word” news” create confusion for many English speakers. Despite end with an’s’, which typically signal a plural noun,” news” really take a singular verb. This grammatical quirk trip up native and non-native speakers similar, lead to uncertainty when construct sentences.

To put it only: news is singular, not plural.

The definitive answer: news is singular

When use” news ” n a sentence, you should ever pair it with singular verbs:

• Correct: the news is along at 6 pm.
• Incorrect: the news are along at 6 pm.

This rule apply disregarding of whether you’re discussed one news item or multiple stories. The word itself functions as a singular noun, similar to other uncountable nouns li” ” informatio” or” advice. ”

Why news take singular verbs

Understand why” news ” s singular require look at its linguistic classification. ” neNews” long to a category of nouns calcallsss nouns or uncountable nouns. These nouns represent concepts, ideas, or substances that cacan’te divdividedto separate elements or count as individual items.

Other examples of uncountable nouns include:

• Information
• Furniture
• Knowledge
• Advice
• Progress

Like these words,” news ” epresent a collective concept kinda than countable items, yet when refer to multiple news stories or reports.

The etymology of news

The singular treatment of” news ” ake more sense when consider its etymology. The word derive from the middle enEnglish” wnewsa” the old frencFrench” enovelsan” new t” gs ” or ” n” inf” ation. ” despite thiDespitel origin, english evoEnglishtreat news as a collective singular noun represent the concept of new information instead than individual items.

This evolution mirror how we treat other words with plural origins that nowadays function as singular concepts, such as” mathematics ” r “” ysics. ”

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Regular professional writers occasionally stumble when use” news ” n sentences. Here are common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect verb agreement

• Incorrect: the news are shocking.
• Correct: the news is shocking.

Attempt to make news plural

• Incorrect: I have many nooses to share.
• Correct: I have many news items to share.

Use incorrect articles

• Incorrect: a news merely come in.
• Correct: a news report merely come in. Or the news merely come in.

To avoid these mistakes, remember that” news ” ‘er take singular verbs and doesn’t have a plural form. If you need to specify multiple instances, use phrases like “” ws items, ” ” s stories, ” o” pi” s of news. ”

Special cases and exceptions

While the rule that” news ” s singular remain consistent, certain contexts and phrases might seem like exceptions.

News organizations and publications

When refer to news organizations that have” news ” n their name, the verb agreement dedependsn whether you’re ttreatedthe organization as a single entity or as a group of individuals:

• Fox News is broadcast the event. (treat the organization as a single entity )
• Fox News are divided in their opinions on the matter.( treat the organization as a group of individuals chiefly in British English)

This distinction reflect the broader difference between American and British English in treat collective nouns.

Compound phrases

When” news ” orm part of a compound phrase, the grammatical number follow the head noun:

• The news media are cover the story extensively. (” media ” s the head noun, traditionally plural ))
• This news bulletin is important. (” bulletin ” s the head noun, singular ))

News in different contexts

The singular treatment of” news ” pply across various contexts:

Journalism and media

In professional journalism,” news ” s systematically treat as singular:

• The break news is being report alive.
• International news travel fasting than always ahead.

Academic writing

Academic style guides uniformly prescribe treat” news ” s singular:

• The news of the discovery was published in several journals.
• How news is disseminated haschangede dramatically.

Everyday conversation

In casual conversation, the same rule applies:

• The news isn’t good, I’m afraid.
• What’s the latest news about the project?

Similar words that follow the same pattern

” nNews” sn’t the only word in enEnglishhat end with an “” ” ” functions as singular. Understand these patterns can help reinforce the grammatical rule:

Academic subjects

• Mathematics is my favorite subject.
• Economics have many practical applications.
• Physics explain how the universe work.

Games and activities

• Billiards is a challenging game.
• Darts is popular in British pubs.

Medical conditions

• Diabetes is a chronic condition.
• Measles spread quickly in unvaccinated populations.

Like” news, ” hese words represent unified concepts kinda than collections of countable items.

Historical evolution of news as a singular noun

The treatment of” news ” s singular has been consistent throughout modern enEnglishsage, but its grammatical treatment have an interesting history. In middle enEnglishnd early modern enEnglishthere be instances where “” ws ” ” ld take either singular or plural verbs.

By the 18th century, notwithstanding, the singular usage had become standardized. This shift reflects the broader tendency inEnglishh for words represent concepts to betreatedt as singular, eve they have’ve plural forms or origins.

Regional variations

While” news ” s singular in all major varieties of enEnglishsome collective nouns show regional variations in their treatment:

American English

American English tend to treat collective nouns as singular entities:

• The team is won.
• The government has announced new policies.

British English

British English oftentimes treat collective nouns as plural when emphasize the individuals within the group:

• The team are celebrate their victory.
• The government are divide on the issue.

Despite these regional differences with collective nouns,” news ” emain firm singular in both amAmericannd brBritish English

Source: grammar monster.com

Tips for remembering that news is singular

If you struggle to remember that” news ” ake singular verbs, these memory aids might help:

Think of similar concepts

Associate” news ” ith other uncountable nouns like “” formation ” ” ” k” ledge ” th” clear take singular verbs.

The container analogy

Think of” news ” s a container hold multiple items of information. The container itself is singular, regular if it cocontainsany items.

The replacement test

When in doubt, mentally replace” news ” ith “” formation ” ” your sentence. Since ” i” rmation is ” so” correct and ” inf” ation are ” soun” wrong, the same apply to ” news.”

Practical examples in various contexts

To reinforce the singular nature of” news, ” ere are examples from different contexts:

Media and broadcasting

• The evening news begin at 7 pm.
• This news channel provides 24 hour coverage.

Personal communication

• The news of their engagement is spread rapidly.
• Bad news travel fasting.

Business and finance

• The news about the merger was unexpected.
• Economic news affect market sentiment.

Conclusion: news is definitively singular

Despite its deceptive” s ” nd, “” ws ” ” unambiguously a singular noun in englEnglishmmar. It reprrepresents concept of new information as a whole kinda than countable individual items. This classification as an uncountable or mass noun explain why it taktakesngular verbs in all contexts.

Understand this grammatical rule help improve write clarity and demonstrate command of English language conventions. Whether you’re written a formal report, a news article, or an everyday email, will remember th” ” news i” ( not” news are ” will enhance your communication.

Thus, next time you hear someone ask whether news is plural or singular, you can confidently provide the answer: news is singular, irrespective of how many stories or pieces of information itencompassess.

Source: grammar monster.com