is homework plural or singular

In more general, commonly used, contexts, the plural form will also be .

However, in more specific contexts, the plural form can also be e.g. in reference to various types of or a collection of .

Difference between HOMEWORK and HOUSEWORK

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What’s the difference between homework and housework ?

These two words seem practically identical, but they actually have separate meanings and uses. I’ll clarify that in today’s lesson, so that you can be sure to use the right word.

And at the end I’ll also tell you about a common mistake that English learners often make with homework and housework.

How to use HOMEWORK in English

Homework refers to schoolwork that you do at home.

So if you’re in class, your teacher might give you homework – maybe a worksheet, maybe a book/article to read, maybe an exercise to do or something to research – and then you do that homework outside of class, at home.

Homework is usually extra practice or an additional assignment to help you practice what you learned inside class, or take your learning further.

How to use HOUSEWORK in English

Housework refers to the physical tasks that are necessary to take care of your house or apartment , the place where you live. We usually use housework to refer to cooking, cleaning, and laundry (washing your clothes).

So homework is schoolwork you do at home, and housework involves maintaining your living space.

What about “chores”?

One of my students asked if the word chores means the same thing as housework.

Yes – chores is another word we can use for those things that you have to do around the house. Washing dishes, sweeping the floor, cleaning the toilet, and so on. You probably don’t really enjoy them, but they need to get done.

And it’s also common to use this word chores you have a parent who makes their children help with these tasks. So the parent would say, “you have to do your chores.” You need to do those things around the house that you’re responsible for, like cleaning up your room or maybe helping with the laundry.

HOMEWORK and HOUSEWORK are always singular!

Now here’s an important detail – the word chore is countable, so you can have one chore, two chores, three chores, or a lot of chores to do.

But homework and housework are BOTH considered uncountable . So we always use them in the singular, always homework and housework, never homeworks or houseworks.

They are singular even when they refer to multiple tasks. So even if you have multiple assignments to do and multiple things to do in your house, it’s still only homework and housework.

You can talk about general quantity by saying a little homework/housework or a lot of homework/housework – but don’t use numbers, like “three homeworks,” and don’t add an S, “a lot of houseworks” – it’s not correct.

WORK / WORKS

This rule also applies to the word “work” – most of the time it’s singular.

Don’t say “I have a lot of works to do.” – the correct way would be “I have a lot of work to do.” You can say tasks, you can say projects, you can say assignments, you can say things – those can all be plural, but work is typically singular.

There’s one situation where we can say “works” and that’s specifically when we’re talking about works of art, works of music, or works of literature. So when we’re talking about productions in the artistic world, then sometimes we use works in the plural. For example, this is one of Picasso’s greatest works of art.

But in everyday life, when talking about the work you have to do, it’s always work, singular and same with homework and housework, singular.

Now you know the difference between homework and housework – and remember, doing homework is really important for reviewing and practicing what you learn!

A lot of our courses at Espresso English include homework. Sometimes that’s a quiz so you can test yourself on the lesson, and sometimes the homework is a writing task or speaking task where you can send your answers to our teaching team and get correction and feedback.

Our students often find this the most valuable part of our courses, because then you’re not just watching or reading or listening to me in English, but you’re also using English yourself. It really makes a difference in helping you learn and remember better.

Join our courses to improve your English fast in just a few minutes a day!

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Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.

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'Do Your Homework' or 'Do The Homework'. Which Is Correct?

The expression “do homework” refers to the work that a teacher gives a student to do at home.

The expression “ do homework ” refers to the work that a teacher gives a student to do at home.

Doing homework is a boring activity for some students.

Use the article “the” or a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, etc.) to be more specific.

Have you done your math homework ?

Since homework is an uncountable noun, it is not possible to use the indefinite article a/an.

The history teacher gave us some homework to do by Monday.

The history teacher gave us a homework to do by Monday.

1. Homework Is Uncountable

2. using other determiners with ‘homework’.

“ Homework ” is an uncountable noun; therefore, it does not have a plural form.

I have some homework to do.

I have three homeworks to do.

Being uncountable, " homework " is always followed by a singular verb.

The science homework was extremely difficult.

And you cannot put the article a/an in front of it.

You should do some homework today.

You should do a homework today.

But you can use the word “ assignment ” to mention separate pieces of homework.

Complete the three homework assignments .

Rebecca, you did an impressive job on the homework assignments .

Or just say “ a/one piece of homework ” or " a bit of homework ".

You still have one piece of homework left to do.

Note that we always say “ do homework ”. Avoid the verbs make or write with this word.

It’s worth doing a bit of homework before playing video games.

It’s worth making/writing a bit of homework before playing video games.

But you can use the verbs give or help (somebody).

The teacher gave us some homework to do by Friday.

My mother used to help me with my homework .

Instead of referring to the work that a student is asked to do at home, you can use “ homework ” as a synonym of preparation.

Since we have done our homework , we are well prepared for the meeting with the investor.

Using "a" or "the" with common activities

We commonly add a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, her, our, their) before “ homework ”.

Do your homework before dinner.

Have the kids done their homework ?

Jennifer is very good at doing her homework .

But you can also use other determiners, such as:

• some (affirmative sentences)
• any (interrogative and negative sentences)

The teacher gives too much homework .

I don’t have any homework .

We can also omit the determiner to speak about homework in a general way.

Homework is boring.

Is it bad to do homework in bed?

For homework , finish the exercise on page 8.

PristineWord

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• English (UK)

is ‘homework’ singular or plural ? See a translation

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The singular is 'piece of homework'. Use 'homework' when there is more than one, however use 'pieces of homework' when you know the number. For example: I have some homework to complete for today. I have a piece of homework to complete for today. I have six pieces of homework to complete for today.

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• English (UK) Near fluent

uncountable noun

Homework è un termine non numerabile, non si dice homeworks Questa parola è simile al latte. Non si dice latti. Puoi dire le frasi come: The teacher gave me lots of holiday homework I have some maths homework to do I hate homework Do you have any homework? I’ve got no homework tonight

Homework is always singular: The homework that the teacher gave us is really difficult. All of my teachers gave me homework today. It's going to take ages to do.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Count and Noncount Nouns (with Plurals, Articles, and Quantity Words)

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Section 1: Definition of Count and Noncount Nouns

Count or noncount.

The main difference between count and noncount nouns is whether you can count the things they refer to or not.

Count nouns refer to things that exist as separate and distinct individual units. They usually refer to what can be perceived by the senses.

Example sentences:

I stepped in a puddle. (How many puddles did you step in? Just one.)

I drank a glass of milk. (Glasses of milk can be counted)

I saw an apple tree. (Apple trees can be counted)

Noncount nouns refer to things that can't be counted because they are thought of as wholes that can't be cut into parts. They often refer to abstractions and occasionally have a collective meaning (for example, furniture).

I dove into the water. (How many waters did you dive into? The question doesn't make any sense; therefore water is noncountable.)

I saw the milk spill. (How many milks? Milk cannot be counted.)

I admired the foliage. (How many foliages? Foliage cannot be counted.)

Think of the batter from which a cake is made. Before you put the batter into the oven, it can't be divided into parts because it's a thick liquid. Once it has been baked, it becomes solid enough to be cut into pieces. Noncount nouns are like cake batter; count nouns are like pieces of cake

Note: Since the issue is complicated and almost no rule is absolute, there will be exceptions to the above definitions; however, we can show some general patterns. Bear in mind that what is countable in another language may not be countable in English, and vice versa.

Section 2: Uses of Count and Noncount Nouns

Pluralizing.

From the definitions of mass and count given above you may have already guessed the rule for pluralizing them:

• most count nouns pluralize with -s
• noncount nouns don't pluralize at all

This rule works for all of the nouns in the lists of examples in the first section. Check this rule for yourself before reading further.

An Exception to the Rule

For a number of nouns, the rule needs slight revision. Certain nouns in English belong to both classes: they have both a noncount and a count meaning. Normally the noncount meaning is abstract and general and the count meaning concrete and specific. Compare:

• I've had some difficulties finding a job. (refers to a number of specific problems)
• The talks will take place in the Krannert building. (refers to a number of specific lectures)
• The city was filled with bright lights and harsh sounds. (refers to a number of specific lights and noises)
• She succeeded in school with little difficulty . (refers to the general idea of school being difficult)
• I dislike idle talk . (refers to talking in general)
• Light travels faster than sound. (refers to the way light and sound behave in general)

Note: A special case of the use of noncount nouns in a count sense has to do with classification. Sometimes a usually noncount noun can be understood as one item separate and distinct from other items of the same category. The nouns that function in this way often denote foods and beverages: food(s), drink(s), wine(s), bread(s), coffee(s), fruit(s), and so on. Examples:

• There are several French wines to choose from. (= kinds of wine)
• I prefer Sumatran coffees to Colombian. (= kinds of coffee)
• We use a variety of different batters in our bakery. (= kinds of batter)

A recent entry into this class is homework, which at least among some students has the count plural homeworks in addition to its noncount use. (For example, "You're missing three of the homeworks from the first part of the course.") Because this usage is not firmly established and is likely to be considered nonstandard, you should check with your instructor before using it in writing.

A Revision of the Rule

These exceptions require that the rule for pluralizing be revised: count nouns and nouns used in a count sense pluralize; noncount nouns and nouns used in a noncount sense do not.

The two possibilities in each half of the rule require different choices. If you know that a particular noun must be either count or noncount and cannot be both, you need to decide only if it is possible to pluralize the noun. On the other hand, if you know that a particular noun may be used in either a count or noncount sense, then you need to decide whether it is appropriate to pluralize.

To summarize, we may put the rule in a chart, like this:

Nouns and Articles

Choosing which article to use (if any) with a noun is a complex matter because the range of choices depends on whether the noun in question is 1) count or noncount and 2) singular or plural. Both count nouns (whether singular or plural) and noncount nouns take articles.

Combinations of Nouns and Articles

The following chart shows which articles go with which kinds of nouns. Notice that this , that , these , and those have been included because, like the, they mark the noun that they modify as definite, which means that the noun refers 1) to a unique individual or 2) to some person, event, or object known to both the writer and reader from their general knowledge or from what has been previously mentioned in a piece of writing.

Count Singular: I ate an apple. I rode the bus. Does she live in this house? No, she lives in that house over there.

Count Plural: I like to feed the birds. Do you want these books? No, I want those books up there. Cats are interesting pets.

Noncount: The water is cold. This milk is going sour. Music helps me relax.

Quantity Terms

The following chart shows which quantity words go with which kinds of nouns. Note that quantity words can be used in combinations such as many more, many fewer, much more, and much less, any of which can be preceded by how to form questions or relative clauses. Negatives like not and no can also be applied to many of these terms.

Count Singular: I practice every day. I'd like one donut, please.

Count Plural: Can I have some chips? She has a lot of books, and many are autographed. I have fewer pencils than you.

Noncount: Can I have some water? She has a lot of strength, and much is due to her upbringing. I have less courage than you.

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Can words like “artwork” and “homework” be plural?

So I’m American, and I have a lot of friends from college that are from various other countries, often speaking English as a second language.

I’ve recently observed that a lot of them (no country/first language in common) will pluralize words like “artwork” and “homework” (into “artworks, homeworks”) and it stuck out to me.

I’ve always thought of those words as being something you have a quantity of, not multiples of, if that makes sense. Like, you could say “A lake contains a lot of water” but not “A lake contains many waters.” But these friends of mine will use the words as if they are plural, as in “I really like the artworks of Van Gogh” or “I have a lot of homeworks to do tonight.”

Initially I thought that pluralizing these words must be grammatically incorrect, but now I’m doubting that, and instead wondering if they maybe just clash with typical colloquial American English, but are technically acceptable.

Does anyone know whether or not I’m correct here? Just genuinely curious.

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"Work" (noun) is plural or singular?

I couldn't find an answer to this question by searching the archive. If it's duplicate please let me know, and I'll remove it.

I was wondeing if "work" (noun) is plural or singular? for example, I want to speak about the "previous work" (meaning previous published papers):

Is it correct to say:

I provide a high-level overview of the previous work, including "their" limitations.

Or I should say:

I provide a high-level overview of the previous work, including "its" limitations.

I also appreciate any suggestion for a more elegant way of saying that there are "niche" in the previous papers, that I'm going to highlight.

• grammaticality
• grammatical-number

• you can a read this once english.stackexchange.com/questions/5142/… –  harshal Commented May 1, 2014 at 5:59
• 1 It is answered at his works in research and teaching have/has been . –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Oct 2, 2015 at 16:22

2 Answers 2

Work can be either singular or plural, and in your context, either is possible - but the pronoun must agree, in either case.

So you can either use

• I provide a high-level overview of the previous work, including its limitations.
• I provide a high-level overview of the previous works, including their limitations.

In the first case, you refer to the entire body of previous work, whereas in the second, you refer to multiple instances of previous works. The difference is subtle, though, and my initial point stands - I'd say that you can use either, as long as the pronoun is consistent.

• 4 When "work" is plural, it usually refers to the activity of working, not the products. That's why you say "works" in the second sentence when you refer to multiple products. –  Barmar Commented May 1, 2014 at 15:52
• Is it true that, when we are talking about the product, and it is not a work of art or something, only previous research product, using singular "work" is correct? E.g. Several other work have focused on... –  user25004 Commented Oct 2, 2015 at 15:08
• 1 oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/work_2 says work is not countable except when it means a book, piece of music, painting, etc. –  user25004 Commented Oct 2, 2015 at 15:16
• 1 @jimsung I find my issue relevant enough to this question not to start a duplicate. The issue is that based on the dictionary, your response "Work can be either singular or plural, and in your context, either is possible" seems unconvincing to me. That is why I am asking here, either to get convinced or to convince. Also I think the pronoun used in the question, is to give a concrete indication and highlight of plural or singular form of the noun. The topic summarizes the general underlying question being asked. –  user25004 Commented Oct 2, 2015 at 15:54
• 1 The question is really a strong candidate for close-voting on ELU. I just don't like to see inadequate answers given apparent endorsement: it misleads people. @user25004 is right to challenge. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Oct 2, 2015 at 16:17

Work is used for both singular and plural.It cannot be used as works for its plural form.guys don't confuse yourself, it's crystal clear😌 Works only can be used in the third person singular form Ex; he works in a bank.

• 2 This answer is contradictory, confusing and incorrect. –  Mari-Lou A Commented Oct 15, 2018 at 3:55
• Ashraff, this is incorrect. You're confusing the noun and verb forms. "I work" vs "I perform work" and "I perform several works" (e.g. of music). –  Chappo Hasn't Forgotten Commented Oct 15, 2018 at 3:58

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged grammaticality grammatical-number or ask your own question .

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is   Plural

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Is homework plural

Homework is plural plural both plural and singular singular both plural and singular both plural and singular plural singular singular .

The plural of homework is homework .

How to say homework: How to pronounce homework

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Not sure why homework is plural plural both singular both both plural singular singular ?   Contact Us !   We'll explain.

1.  What makes words plural? 2.  What makes a word singular? 3.  How to make acronyms plural.

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homework: plural?

• Thread starter deluay
• Start date Oct 5, 2007

Senior Member

• Oct 5, 2007

Hi..! Is it correct to say: >I'm doing my homeworks. >I'm going to do my homeworks. Can I use the plural for homework to show that I have several kinds of homework to do? Is it common? thanks!  

SerinusCanaria3075

Is it correct to say: >I'm doing my homeworks. >I'm going to do my homeworks. Click to expand...

As far as I know homework is an uncountable noun and has no plural. I'm doing / I'm going to do my homework  

deluay said: Hi..! Is it correct to say: >I'm doing my homeworks. >I'm going to do my homeworks. Can I use the plural for homework to show that I have several kinds of homework to do? Is it common? thanks! Click to expand...

Cracker Jack

Even if you have to do homework in several subjects, it is still called homework. You can say exercises or compositions. But you only say homework.  

• Nov 6, 2013

Cracker Jack said: Even if you have to do homework in several subjects, it is still called homework. You can say exercises or compositions. But you only say homework. Click to expand...