Plural-only, singular-only, and indeclinable nouns
Not every noun contrasts one with many in a regular two-number paradigm.
- Compare но́вое пальто́ and но́вые пальто́. The noun is unchanged, but agreement expresses singular versus plural. Likewise, one pair of scissors is одни́ но́жницы, not *одна́ но́жница in the standard noun meaning.
| Type | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| plural-only | де́ньги, но́жницы, брю́ки, часы́ | no ordinary singular and no singular gender contrast |
| mainly singular / mass | молоко́, са́хар, ме́бель | plural may be absent or change meaning |
| abstract mainly singular | сме́лость, информа́ция | plural is restricted or meaning-shifting |
| indeclinable | пальто́, метро́, такси́ | surface noun form stays; agreement shows number |
Mini-check
1. How do you show plural in но́вые пальто́? 2. Which agreement word means one pair: оди́н or одни́ но́жницы?
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.