As a language expert with a deep understanding of English grammar and usage, I can provide a comprehensive explanation on the topic of the plural form of "jeans." The question of whether "jeans" should be considered singular or plural is a common one, and it's a great opportunity to delve into the nuances of English grammar.

The word "jeans" is a plural noun that refers to a type of trousers made from denim or dungareen cloth. It's important to note that "jeans" is always plural; there is no singular form like "jean." The confusion often arises due to the fact that "jeans" is a plural noun that is treated as a singular noun in terms of the verb agreement. This is a unique characteristic of certain nouns in English, which are called "plurale tantum" or "non-count nouns."

In the case of "jeans," the confusion is further compounded by the phrase "a pair of jeans." The word "pair" is a singular noun that is used to quantify items that are typically counted in twos, such as scissors, glasses, or trousers. When we say "a pair of jeans," we are referring to two items of clothing, but the phrase itself is treated as a singular entity because "pair" is singular.

So, when Maggie asks whether she should say "one pair of jeans is on the chair" or "one pair of jeans are on the chair," the correct usage is "one pair of jeans IS on the chair." This is because the subject of the sentence is "one pair," which is singular, even though "jeans" is a plural noun.

It's also worth mentioning that in informal speech and writing, especially in American English, it's common to hear "one pair of jeans are on the chair." This is due to the fact that people might be influenced by the plural nature of "jeans" and subconsciously treat the phrase as plural. However, this is not grammatically correct.

In summary, when referring to a set of two items, such as jeans, the phrase "a pair of" should be followed by a singular verb. This is a specific case in English grammar where the collective noun "pair" takes precedence over the inherent plurality of the noun it quantifies.

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Is 'Pair' Singular or Plural? A reader named Maggie asked whether one pair of jeans is singular or plural. In other words, should she say that one pair of jeans IS on the chair or one pair of jeans ARE on the chair?Dec 17, 2015read more >>