As a linguistic expert with a deep understanding of English grammar and usage, I can provide a comprehensive answer to the question of whether "news" is plural or singular.

The term "news" is a fascinating subject in the English language, as it can be both singular and plural, depending on the context in which it is used. At its core, "news" is an uncountable noun, which means it does not have a plural form in the traditional sense. It represents the concept of information or reports about recent events and is often used to refer to the content of newspapers, television broadcasts, or online media.

However, the usage of "news" can be nuanced. When we consider "news" as a collective term for all the reports of the day, it is treated as a singular noun. This is because it is seen as a collective mass, much like "furniture" or "information," which are also uncountable and singular. In this context, you would say, "The news is important to me," using "is" to agree with the singular noun "news."

On the other hand, "news" can also be viewed as a plural noun when referring to multiple pieces of information or reports. In this case, it is used in a more specific sense, where each report or piece of information is considered individually. For example, "There are many news about the event," uses "news" as a plural noun to refer to the various individual reports.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary supports this dual usage by describing "news" as a "noun plural but singular in construction." This means that while "news" can be seen as a plural noun, it is grammatically treated as a singular noun in its construction. This is a unique characteristic of the word and reflects the complexity of the English language.

In conclusion, the use of "news" as either singular or plural is determined by the context and the intended meaning. As an uncountable noun, it is generally treated as singular, but it can also be used to refer to multiple pieces of information, in which case it functions as a plural noun. Understanding this distinction is key to using "news" correctly in various sentences and situations.

read more >>

News is the aggregate of all the reports of the day; therefore it's uncountable, singular. Merriam-Webster online describes the word as --noun plural but singular in construction.--Nov 5, 2012read more >>