Why We Say “The Police Are Coming” — and Other Weird Plural Nouns in English

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Here Is Why We Say “The Police Are Coming” — and Other Weird Plural Nouns in English

Have you ever wondered why we say:


✅ The police are coming
but never

❌ The police is coming?

It sounds strange because “the police” refers to one institution. So why does it take a plural verb?

Let’s explore this curious corner of English grammar — and discover other nouns that behave the same way. This post will also explain the differences between American and British English, highlight some exceptions, and end with a fun quiz to test what you’ve learned.
 
🚓 "Police" Is Always Plural — Why?

The word police refers to a group of people, not just one person — and it behaves like a plural noun, even though it doesn't end in "-s". That’s why we say:


✅ The police are investigating the case.
 

❌ The police is investigating the case.

You’ll notice that “police” doesn’t have a singular form. You can’t say:


❌ A police / Instead, you say:


✅ A police officer


✅ A member of the police

So, “police” is a plural-only noun — one of several in English.

 
Nouns That Are Always Plural (Pluralia Tantum)

Some English nouns only exist in the plural form and always use plural verbs. These are called pluralia tantum (Latin for “plural only”).
 

Here are some examples:

  1. The police are on their way. Refers to officers collectively
  2. People are tired of bad news. Irregular plural of person
  3. The clergy have spoken out. Religious leaders
  4. The cattle are in the field. Farm animals, no singular
  5. The poultry are fed twice a day. Group of birds
  6. My clothes are in the washer. No singular form (a clothe ❌)

💡 If you want to refer to just one item of clothing, say: a piece of clothing / an item of clothing / a shirt, a pair of jeans, etc.
 
Nouns That Are Plural in Form (Usually Paired Items)

Some nouns look plural (they end in -s), refer to one object, but still take plural verbs. These are usually things made of two parts:

  1. The scissors are in the drawer.
  2. His pants are torn.
  3. These trousers are expensive.
  4. My glasses are dirty.
  5. The binoculars are powerful.
  6. These pliers are useful.
  7. Your clothes are stylish.

👉 If you want to use a singular verb, say:

A pair of scissors is on the desk.

That pair of pants is mine.

 
British vs. American English: Collective Nouns

  1. In American English, most collective nouns are treated as singular:
  2. The team is winning.
  3. The government is divided.
In British English, the same words often take plural verbs, especially when referring to the individuals in the group:
  1. The team are celebrating.
  2. The government are debating the bill.
 
Common collective nouns:
  • team
  • staff
  • committee
  • family
  • band
  • company
  • audience


✅ Both are correct — just make sure you’re consistent with your variety of English.
 
🎓 Latin and Greek Plurals in English

Some English nouns preserve their original Latin or Greek plurals — and are plural in meaning, so they also take plural verbs:

  • phenomenon / phenomena 
These phenomena are difficult to explain.

  • criterion / criteria 
The criteria are too strict.

  • datum / data 
The data are clear. (formal use)

  • medium / media 
The media are biased. (institutional use)

Note: In informal English, especially in tech or journalism, data and media are often treated as singular: The data is available online. (informal/US)
 
Summary: How to Know If a Noun Is Plural

  1. Always plural (no singular form):  police, people, cattle, clothes, clergy Plural
  2. Paired items (one object, two parts): scissors, pants, binoculars, glasses Plural
  3. Collective nouns (varies by dialect): team, family, government US = singular

UK = plural
Latin/Greek plurals data, media, criteria, phenomena Plural (formal)


************


QUIZ TIME — Can You Spot the Correct Sentence?

Take notes and then check your answers with the key presented in the video below.


Choose the correct option in each pair.

1.
A) The police is looking for him.
B) The police are looking for him.

2.
A) My pants is too tight.
B) My pants are too tight.

3.
A) The data are conclusive.
B) The data is conclusive.


4.
A) The team are warming up. (British)
B) The team is warming up. (American)

5.
A) Your clothes is on the bed.
B) Your clothes are on the bed.

6.
A) The scissors is in the drawer.
B) The scissors are in the drawer.

7.
A) The clergy has spoken.
B) The clergy have spoken.

8.
A) These criteria is unfair.
B) These criteria are unfair.



 
📝 Check your answers in this video:





Final Thought:

English is full of surprises. Some words look singular but behave like plurals. Others don’t even have a singular form! The key is to recognize these special cases and adjust your grammar accordingly.

Have you ever made a funny mistake with one of these plural nouns? Share it in the comments below — and don’t forget to follow Grammar Drops for weekly language tips!

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