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LEXICALISATION OF PLURAL FORMS OF NOUNS
Scientific supervisor: Khaydarova Nigora
Andijan state institute of foreign languages
Abdullayeva Farangiz student of 304 group
Annotation: article explores the phenomenon of lexicalisation of plural
noun forms in the English language. While pluralisation is generally regarded as a
grammatical process indicating quantity, certain plural forms evolve beyond their
original function and acquire distinct lexical meanings. These plural forms, such as
customs, premises, and glasses, often diverge semantically from their singular
counterparts and function as independent lexical items. The article examines the
linguistic characteristics of such lexicalised plurals, provides illustrative examples,
and discusses the grammatical, semantic, and pragmatic implications of their usage.
It also briefly considers similar phenomena in other languages, highlighting the
broader relevance of lexicalisation in linguistic theory and language evolution.
Key words: lexicalisation, plural nouns, semantics, English morphology,
fixed expressions, idiomatic usage, noun forms, language evolution, lexical
divergence, grammaticalisation
Introduction
In English and other languages, pluralisation is typically understood as a
grammatical process applied to singular nouns to indicate more than one entity (e.g.,
cat → cats). However, in some cases, plural forms of nouns evolve to acquire
meanings distinct from their singular counterparts, becoming fixed expressions or
new lexical items in their own right. This phenomenon is known as the
lexicalisation of plural forms. It represents a significant intersection between
morphology, semantics, and lexical development in natural language.
Definition and Characteristics
Lexicalisation of plural forms refers to the process through which a plural
noun, initially formed through regular grammatical rules, develops a separate
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meaning or usage that is not strictly the plural of its singular base. These lexicalised
plurals often:
Gain idiomatic or specialised meanings,
No longer correspond directly to the singular in usage,
Can be used as fixed expressions or proper terms,
Occasionally do not even have a commonly used singular form.
Examples in English
1. Customs – While custom refers to a tradition or habitual practice, customs
most often refers to border control authorities or import/export regulations.
2. Glasses – The plural form refers to spectacles, a tool for vision correction,
whereas the singular glass refers to the material or a drinking vessel.
3. Goods – While good as a singular can mean "something beneficial,"
goods usually refers to merchandise or items for sale.
4. Premises – The plural noun premises refers to a building or land, while
premise in the singular form has a logical or argumentative meaning.
5. Riches – This plural form denotes wealth, whereas rich is usually an
adjective, and the noun form a rich is rarely used or archaic.
Semantic Divergence
One of the defining traits of lexicalised plurals is semantic divergence. The
meaning of the plural form moves away from a mere numeric modification and
becomes a distinct concept. This divergence is often driven by socio-cultural,
pragmatic, or historical usage patterns that solidify over time.
Grammatical Implications
Lexicalised plural forms may behave irregularly in terms of syntax and
agreement:
They may take singular or plural verbs depending on their lexical status
(e.g., The premises is large vs. The premises are located downtown).
They may resist re-singularisation or back-formation due to lack of usage of
the original singular noun.
Lexicalisation in Other Languages
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Although this paper focuses on English, similar phenomena occur in other
languages. For example, in French, vacances (holidays) and fiançailles
(engagement) are used in the plural but have no common singular forms. In Russian,
the word (an abacus) has a plural form that denotes a tool rather than multiple
counts.
Causes of Lexicalisation
Several linguistic mechanisms and external factors contribute to the
lexicalisation of plurals:
Idiomatic usage: Phrases such as in good spirits or in high places give rise to
fixed plural expressions.
Professional and technical domains: Fields such as law (proceeds, damages),
economics (funds), and fashion (trousers) often rely on lexicalised plurals.
Etymological evolution: Historical language change and borrowing can lead
to such plural fixations.
Conclusion
The lexicalisation of plural forms illustrates the dynamic nature of language,
where morphology, semantics, and usage patterns intersect to create new lexical
items. Understanding this process sheds light on how languages adapt, evolve, and
respond to communicative needs. It also offers valuable insights into the interaction
between form and meaning, highlighting how grammatical structures can give rise
to entirely new vocabulary through common usage and cultural embedding.
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