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(ordered by seriousness) Top Tip
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for your browser ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists Tests and Games Awkward Plurals Sayings and Proverbs Twitter YouTube
Plural of Glass
The Quick Answer
When refering to the material, glass is a mass noun.When refering to a drinking container, the plural is glasses.
The Plural of Glass
When refering to the material, glass is a mass noun. For example:- Multi-storey buildings are frequently constructed with walls made almost entirely of glass.
- In early 17th century England, glass became common in the windows of ordinary homes.
- While we may not need eight glasses a day, there are plenty of reasons to drink water.
- My grandmother is over eighty and still doesn't need glasses. She drinks right out of the bottle. (Henny Youngman)
Are You Good at Plurals?
Here's a quick test.The Standard Rules for Forming the Plurals
The table below shows the standard rules for forming the plurals of nouns in English.Type | Example of Type | Forming the Plural | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
Most Nouns | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z | ![]() ![]() |
add es | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] o | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
add either s or es (There are no rules for this - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] o | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] y | ![]() ![]() |
change the y to an i and add es | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] y | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Mass nouns | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns do not have a plural form |
![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending f or fe | ![]() ![]() |
ves and/or s (There are no rules - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() |
Exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change | ![]() ![]() |
More exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns do not change at all | ![]() ![]() |
Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Glass?
Confusion arises because the plural is depends on the meaning of glass.When talking about the material, glass is a mass noun. A mass noun is a noun without a plural form. They refer to items that can't be counted (e.g., music, milk, chalk).
When refering to the drinking container, the plural is glasses.
Of note, glasses is also another word for spectacles.
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