Concept
Plural
Overview
In many languages, a plural (sometimes abbreviated as pl., pl, pl., or pl), is one of the values of the grammatical category of number. The plural of a noun typically denotes a quantity greater than the default quantity represented by that noun. This default quantity is most commonly one (a form that represents this default quantity of one is said to be of singular number). Therefore, plurals most typically denote two or more of something, although they may also denote fractional, zero or negative amounts. An example of a plural is the English word boys, which corresponds to the singular boy.
Words of other types, such as verbs, adjectives and pronouns, also frequently have distinct plural forms, which are used in agreement with the number of their associated nouns.
Some languages also have a dual (denoting exactly two of something) or other systems of number categories. However, in English and many other languages, singular and plural are the only grammatical numbers, except for possible remnants of dual number in pronouns such as both and either, and in tendency for stock phrases to use "two" as an umbrella term for "many" (eg "double jeopardy" includes prosecuting a person three, four or a dozen times on the same charge).
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
And thus in all those original languages, we might expect to find, at least six, if not eight or nine variations, in the termination of every verb, according as the event which it denoted was meant to be affirmed of the first, second, or third persons singular, dual, or plural. These variations again being repeated, along with others, through all its different tenses, modes and voices, must necessarily have rendered…
Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Names Plural several times; opens on Plural.
The poet often changes the number as well as the gender (I. xv. 305):-- The crowd approach the ships of the Achaeans. First comes a singular then a plural verb, plainly looking to the sense, for although the word "crowd" is called singular, yet it embraces many individuals. Like it in the opposite way is when the plural precedes the singular follows (I. xvi. 264):-- They having a martial heart each one rushes on…
Plutarch, Complete Works of Plutarch — Volume 3
States what Plural is; names Plural twice.
On the other hand, the names which signify essence in an adjectival manner are predicated of the three persons plurally, by reason of the plurality of _supposita._ For we say there are three "existent" or three "wise" beings, or three "eternal," "uncreated," and "immense" beings, if these terms are understood in an adjectival sense. But if taken in a substantive sense, we say "one uncreated, immense, eternal being,"…
Aquinas Thomas, Summa Theologica, Part I
States what Plural is; names Plural.
Philosophers who discussed Plural
Related ideas
- French language
- Grammatical gender
- Japanese language
- Latin
- Polish language
- Russian language
- Welsh language
- Noun
- Adjective
- Chinese language
- Austronesian languages
- Quantity
- English language
- Clothing
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of Supposition theory.