A List of English Singulars That Are French Plurals

Nouns are not always singular in both French and English. Here is a list of words that are singular or uncountable, or have unmarked plurals in English but are plural or countable in French. * These are usually but not always plural in French ** Data is the plural of datum but is commonly used as a singular noun in English *** The plurals of these nouns are unmarked in English **** These nouns are uncountable in English but countable in French In addition, adjectives that are used as nouns when referring to a group of people do not have an s in English, though they do in French: Advice  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  ConseilsAmmunition  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  MunitionsAsparagus — AspergesAttic  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  ComblesAudience  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Spectateurs, auditeursBaggage, luggage  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  BagagesBroccoli  Ã¢â‚¬â€ BrocolisBusiness  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  AffairesTo cause damage  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Causer des dà ©gà ¢tsCereal  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Cà ©rà ©alesChess  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Ãƒâ€°checsClothing  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Và ªtementsContact information/name and address  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Coordonnà ©esDamage  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Dommage(s),* dà ©gà ¢tsDarkness  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Tà ©nà ¨bresData**  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Donnà ©esDebris  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Dà ©brisDeer  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Cerf(s), biche(s)***Deposit  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ArrhesTo do research  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Faire des recherchesEngagement  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Fianà §aillesEvidence — Preuve(s)****To feel remorse  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Éprouver des remordsFish  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Poisson(s)***Food  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Vivres, victuaillesForecast — Prà ©visionsFruit  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Fruit(s)****Funeral — Funà ©r ailles, obsà ¨quesFurniture  Ã¢â‚¬â€ MeublesGarbage, rubbish  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Dà ©chets, orduresGift (for Christmas or New Years)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ÉtrennesGraffiti — GraffitisHair — CheveuxHavoc — RavagesHay  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Foins*Herringbone  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ChevronsHoliday(s) (British English) — VacancesHomework — DevoirsIncome  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Revenu(s), rente(s)*Information  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Informations, renseignementsKnowledge  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Connaissances*Lovemaking  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Ébats amoureux/sexuelsMath (American English)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ MathsMedicine  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Mà ©dicamentsOffal — AbatsPasta  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Pà ¢tesPeriod (to have ones period)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Rà ¨gles (avoir ses rà ¨gles)Progress  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Progrà ¨s*Quicksand  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Sables mouvantsRubble  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Dà ©combresScience  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Sciences*Sheep  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Mouton(s)***Shrimp — CrevettesSoftware  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Logiciel(s)****Spaghetti  Ã¢â‚¬â€ SpaghettisSpinach  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚     Ãƒâ€°pinardsStatic  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ParasitesTheres a good chance that†¦Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Il y a de fortes chances que...Transportation  Ã¢â‚¬â€ TransportsVacation  Ã¢â‚¬â€ VacancesVicinity  Ã¢â‚¬â€ EnvironsVolcanic smoke and gas  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Fumerolles*Wedding  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Noces*The dead  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Les mortsThe living  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Les vivantsThe poor — Les pauvresThe rich  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Les richesThe sick —  Les maladesThe young  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Les jeunes Some Nouns Are Singular in French and Plural in English Nouns are not always singular in both French and English. Here is a list of words that are singular, uncountable, or invariable in French but are plural or countable in English. * These are usually but not always singular in French** Many French  compound nouns  are invariable, though their English equivalents are variable. News — Lactualità ©Oats — Avoine  (fem)Scales — Une  balanceDrums — La batterieBoxer shorts — Un boxer-shortSwimming trunks — Un caleà §on de bainTights — Collant(s)*Contents — Le  contenu, la  contenanceOveralls, dungarees — Une  cotteDentures — Un  dentierEpsom salts — Epsomite (fem)Stairs — Un  escalierFireworks — Un feu  dartificeFruit — Un fruit (piece of)Skyscraper — Un  gratte-ciel**Gums — La  genciveJeans — Un jeanSweat pants — Un joggingTo do the dishes — Laver la  vaisselle(Piece of) news — Une  nouvelle(Loaf of) bread — Un painPants, trousers — Un  pantalonPliers — Pince(s)*Wire cutters — Une  pince  coupanteWire strippers — Une  pince  Ãƒ   dà ©nuderTweezers — Une  pince  Ãƒ   à ©pilerIce tongs — Une  pince  Ãƒ   glace  Nail clippers †” Une  pince  Ãƒ  Ã‚  onglesCoin purse, wallet — Un porte-monnaie**Pyjamas — Un  pyjamaShorts — un  shortUnderpants — Un slipSwimming trunks — Un slip de bainBellows — Un  souffletDishes, crockery (to do the dishes) — La  vaisselle  (faire  la  vaisselle) Some French Nouns Can Only Be Singular In both French and English, many nouns can be singular or plural:  un  homme  (one man),  deux  hommes  (two men),  la chaise  (the chair),  les  chaises  (the chairs). But there are quite a few French nouns that can only be singular, sometimes because the noun has a  different meaning in the plural. Here are some French nouns that can only be singular: Abstract Nouns Le bonheur — HappinessLa  chaleur — Heat, warmthLa charità © — Charity, kindnessLe  chaud — HeatLe courage — CourageLa  faim — HungerLe  froid — ColdLa  haine — HatredLa  malchance — Bad luck, misfortuneLa mà ©lancolie — Melancholy, gloomLa  peur — FearLa  soif  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ThirstLa tristesse — SadnessLa  vaillance — Courage, valor Arts and Crafts Le cinà ©ma — Cinema,  movie  industryLa couture — SewingLa  danse — DancingLe dessin — DrawingLa  peinture — PaintingLa sculpture — SculptingLe thà ©Ãƒ ¢tre — TheaterLe  tissage — WeavingLe tricot — Knitting Directions La  droite — RightLest  (m) — EastLa gauche — LeftLe  nord — NorthLouest  (m) — WestLe sud — South Materials and Matter Acier  (m) — SteelArgent  (m) — SilverLe bois — WoodLe coton — CottonLe cuir — LeatherLe cuivre — CopperLe fer — IronOr  (m) — GoldLe papier — PaperLe plastique — PlasticLe plà ¢tre — PlasterLa soie — SilkLe verre — Glass Sciences La biologie — BiologyLa botanique — BotanyLa chimie — ChemistryLa gà ©ologie — GeologyLa linguistique — LinguisticsLa philosophie — PhilosophyLa physique — PhysicsLa psychologie — PsychologyLa sociologie — Sociology Some French Nouns Can Only Be Plural In both French and English, many nouns can be singular or plural:  un homme  (one man),  deux hommes  (two men),  la chaise  (the chair),  les chaises  (the chairs). But there are quite a few French nouns that can only be plural, sometimes because the noun has a  different meaning in the singular. Here are some French nouns that can only be plural: Les abats  (m) — Offal, gibletsLes acariens  (m) — Dust mitesLes affres  (f) — Agony, throesLes agissements  (m) — Schemes, intriguesLes agrà ¨s  (m) — (Sports) apparatusLes alentours  (m) — Neighborhood, surroundingsLes annales  (f) — AnnalsLes appointements  (m) — SalaryLes archives  (f) — ArchivesLes armoiries  (f) — Coat of armsLes arrà ©rages  (m) — ArrearsLes arrhes  (f) — DepositLes auspices  (m) — Auspices, patronageLes beaux-arts  (m) — Fine artsLes beaux-enfants  (m) — Childrens spouses, in-laws / spouses children, stepchildrenLes beaux-parents  (m) — Spouses parents, in-laws / parents spouses, stepparentsLes bestiaux  (m) — Livestock, cattleLes bonnes grà ¢ces  (f) — Someones favor, good gracesLes brisants  (m) — (Ocean) breakersLes brisà ©es  (f) — Someones territory, footstepsLes catacombes   (f) — CatacombsLes cà ©rà ©ales  (f) — CerealLes cheveux  (m) — HairLes comestibles  (m) — Fine foodsLes communaux  (m) — Common landLes condolà ©ances  (f) — CondolencesLes confins  (m) — Borders, fringesLes coordonnà ©es  (f) — CoordinatesLes dà ©boires  (m) — Disappointments, setbacks, trialsLes dà ©combres  (m) — Rubble, debrisLes dà ©pens  (m) — Costs, expenseLes dolà ©ances  (f) — Complaints, grievancesLes à ©bats  (m) — FrolickingLes entrailles  (f) — Entrails, gutsLes environs  (m) — Outskirts, surroundingsLes à ©pousailles  (f) — NuptialsLes à ©trennes  (f) — Fift (for  Christmas  or  New Years)Les faà §ons  (f) — Manners, behaviorLes floralies  (f) — Flower showLes fonts baptismaux  (f) — Baptismal fontLes fianà §ailles  (f) — EngagementLes frais  (m) — Expe nses, chargesLes frusques (f informal) — Clothes, togs, ragsLes funerailles  (f) — FuneralLes gens  (m) — PeopleLes grands-parents  (m) — GrandparentsLes honoraires  (m) — FeesLes intempà ©ries  (f) — Bad weatherLes latrines  (f) — LatrineLes limbes  (m) — LimboLes lombes  (m) — LoinsLes mathà ©matiques  (f) — Math(s)Les mà ©moires  (m) — MemoirsLes menottes  (f) — HandcuffsLes mÅ“urs  (f) — Morals, customsLes munitions  (f) — AmmunitionLes obsà ¨ques  (f) — FuneralLes ordures  (f) — Trash, rubbishLes ouà ¯es  (f) — GillsLes pà ¢tes  (f) — Pasta, noodlesLes pierreries  (f) — Gems, precious stonesLes pourparlers  (m) — Negotiations, talksLes prà ©paratifs  (m) — PreparationsLes proches  (m) — Close relations, next of kinLes ravages  (m) — Havoc, ravagesLes reprà ©saillesà ‚  (f) — Retaliation, reprisalsLes royalties  (f) — RoyaltiesLes scellà ©s  (m) — Seals (e.g., on a door)Les semailles  (f) — Sowing, seedsLes sà ©vices  (m) — Physical cruelty, abuseLes tà ©nà ¨bres  (f) — Darkness, gloomLes thermes  (m) — Thermal bathsLes toilettes  (f) — Lavatory, restroomLes vacances  (f) — Vacation, (UK) holidayLes và ªpres  (f) — VespersLes victuailles  (f) — Food, victualsLes vivres  (m) — Food, supplies, provisions French Nouns With Different Meanings Depending on Number Some French nouns can only be singular, some can only be plural, and some have different meanings depending on whether they are singular or plural. Abattis  (m) — BrushwoodLes abattis  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Giblets, (informal) arms and legs, limbsAssise  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Wall support, foundationAssises  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Assembly, conferenceAutorità ©Ã‚  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ AuthorityLes autorità ©s  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ The authoritiesLe barbe  Ã¢â‚¬â€ BarbLa barbe  Ã¢â‚¬â€ BeardLes barbes  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Ragged edgeLe bois  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Wood (in general), woodwind instrumentLes bois  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Woodwind sectionLe ciseau  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ChiselLes ciseaux  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ScissorsLe comble  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Height, peak; last straw (figurative)Les combles  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ AtticLe cuivre  Ã¢â‚¬â€ CopperLes cuivres  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Copper instruments, toolsLa douceur  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Softness, gentlenessLes douceurs  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Sweets, desserts; sweet talkEau  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Water (in general)Les eaux  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ River/lake/sea water, wakeÉconomie  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ EconomicsLes à ©conomies  (f)   — SavingsÉcriture  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Writing, (finance) entryLes à ©critures  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Accounts, booksLa faà §on  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Way, manner, meansLes faà §ons  (f) — Manners, behaviorLe fer  Ã¢â‚¬â€ IronLes fers  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Chains, fettersLe guide  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Guide (book, tour)La guide  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Girl scout/guideLes guides  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ ReinsHumanità ©Ã‚  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Humanity, mankindLes humanità ©s  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Humanities, classicsLe lendemain  Ã¢â‚¬â€ The next day, the period right afterLes lendemains  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Future, prospects, consequencesLa lunette  Ã¢â‚¬â€ TelescopeLes lunettes  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Glasses, spectaclesLa mà ©moire  Ã¢â‚¬â€ MemoryLe mà ©moire  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Memorandum, reportLes mà ©moires  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ MemoirsLa menotte  Ã¢â‚¬â€ (babytalk) HandLes menottes  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ HandcuffsOuà ¯e  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ (sense of) HearingLes ouà ¯es  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ GillsLe papier  Ã¢â ‚¬â€ PaperLes papiers  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ DocumentationLa pà ¢te  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Pastry, doughLes pà ¢tes  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Pasta, noodlesLe ravage  Ã¢â‚¬â€ (Literary)  pillagingLes ravages  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Havoc, ravagesLe status  Ã¢â‚¬â€ StatusLes status  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ StatutesLa toilette  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Toilette, hygiene, act of getting readyLes toilettes  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Lavatory, restroomLa vacance  Ã¢â‚¬â€ VacancyLes vacances  (f)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Vacation, holiday When talking about arts and crafts, a singular noun indicates the activity itself, while both the singular and plural refer to the product. Le cinà ©ma  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Cinema, movie industryLe(s) cinà ©ma(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Cinema(s), movie theater(s)La couture  Ã¢â‚¬â€ SewingLa (les) couture(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Seam(s)La danse  Ã¢â‚¬â€ DancingLa (les) danse(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Dance(s)Le dessin  Ã¢â‚¬â€ The act of drawingLe(s) dessin(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Drawing(s)La peinture  Ã¢â‚¬â€ The act of paintingLa (les) peinture(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Painting(s)La sculpture  Ã¢â‚¬â€ The act of sculptingLa (les) sculpture(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Sculpture(s)Le thà ©Ãƒ ¢tre  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Theater artsLe(s) thà ©Ãƒ ¢tre(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Theaters(s)Le tricot  Ã¢â‚¬â€ The act of knittingLe(s) tricot(s)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Sweater(s), jumper(s) Languages  are always singular (and always,  au fait, masculine). When the name of a language is capitalized, both the singular and plural indicate people of that nationality. Anglais  (m) — English languageUn Anglais, des Anglais  Ã¢â‚¬â€ An Englishman, English peopleArabe  (m)  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Arabic languageUn Arabe, des Arabes  Ã¢â‚¬â€ An Arab, ArabsLe franà §ais  Ã¢â‚¬â€ French languageUn Franà §ais, des Franà §ais  Ã¢â‚¬â€ A Frenchman, French people