NOUN TOP 10 RULES FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS PART 3

Noun Top 10 Rules Part – 3

Hey Aspirants, We know English section is a bottleneck for many aspirants and because of this weakness they did not able to crack the competitive exams like BANK PO/Clerk, SBI PO/ Clerk, SSC CGL/ CHSL etc. So from today, we are providing lectures on English Grammar in Text Format. This is the Noun Top 10 Rules part 3
There are some Nouns for which you have to be very cautious. In this part we will discus about  those Nouns and how you should use them correctly.

#1 Advice 

When meaning of Advice taken as Counsel then we should not use it in the plural. But if you want to show plurality then use pieces of advice instead of advices.
Ex-

• Please pay attention to the advices given by the Principal. ( incorrect)
• Please pay attention to the pieces of advice given by the Principal. ( Correct)

#2 Custom / Customs

The word Custom means a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time ( रिवाज़’ या प्रथा ).
And word Customs is related to the official department that administers and collects the duties levied by a government on imported goods.
So be careful with the use of these two words and don’t take Customs as plural of Custom because both are different things.
Ex-

• Like me, he had guessed it was drugs the custom officers would be searching for. ( Incorrect because govt. do not appoint any officer for custom or belief  )
• Like me, he had guessed it was drugs the customs officers would be searching for. (Correct)

#3 Dies / Dice

The Plural form of Die is both Dies and Dice but When we use Dies it means an engraved device for stamping a design on coins or medals (मुहर लगाना ) and when it means small cubes that are used to play games we should use term Dice(पासा)
Ex-

• The deal at the close of the game of dies was great. ( Incorrect )
• The deal at the close of the game of dice was great. ( Correct )

#4 Indexes/ Indices

The Plural form of Index is both Indexes and Indices but when we use Indexes it simply means an alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc. with reference to the pages on which they are mentioned and when we use Indices it means signs or symbol which we use in Algebra ( Recall the chapter name Surds and Indices)
Ex-

• Before investing we should take a quick tour around the world’s stock indexes. ( Pointing out list )
• Surds and Indices are very important chapter for SSC exams. ( Pointing out chapter of  Algebra )

#5 Ground/Grounds

We use both forms i.e. Ground and Grounds but
1. When it means earth then it is only used in Singular and use of plural is prohibited in this meaning.
2. When it means reason or logical decision ( an area of knowledge or subject of discussion or thought) then it can be used in both the  forms i.e. Singular and Plural.
3. When it means a field or ground that is attached to a building then it is used in Plural form only
Ex-

• Ravi lay on the ground. ( As Earth )
• We will never find out the grounds of his dismissal. ( As a reason)
• We went for a walk around the hospital grounds. ( As a attached field)

#6 Light / Lights

We use Light i.e. Singular form when it means radiance or illumination. But when it means Lamp we can use it in both the forms i.e. in Singular and plural.
Ex-

• The light of the Sun. ( Radiance)
• We could see the city lights in the distance. ( Lamp )
• The lamp sends out a powerful beam of light. ( Lamp )

#7 Letter / Letters

In a sentence when we are indicating the alphabets i.e. A, B, C, D…Z then we can use it in both the forms i.e. in Singular and Plural. But when we are indicating  Literature then only plural form is used.
Ex-

• He was a man of letter with no interest in current affairs. ( Incorrect)
• He was a man of letters with no interest in current affairs. (Correct)

#8 People / Peoples

When it denotes human beings in general or considered collectively ( Men and Women) only People is used. But when it denotes same culture, ethnicity, nation, or race, both forms i.e. Singular and Plural is used( People and Peoples).
Ex-

• Indian peoples believe in their age-old traditions.
• He doesn’t care what people think of him.

#9 Practice / Practices

When it means the customary, habitual, or expected procedure or way of doing of something we can use both the forms i.e. Practice and Practices. But when it means exercise of a profession then we can only use Singular form i.e. Practice.
Ex-

• It must have taken a lot of practice to become so fluent in English.
• Ramesh is never at home because he spends all his free time at Cricket practices.
• He was engaged in the unauthorized practice of medicine.

#10 Spectacle / Spectacles

When it means a visually striking performance or display or sight we can use both the forms. But when it means eye-glasses only Plural is used.
Ex-

• It was a strange spectacle to see you here performing.
• A pair of spectacles.

If you have any problem or did not understand any rule or example then you can watch this video where it was explained thoroughly and in Hindi
Here are some more useful links:
Noun Top 10 Rules Part 2: Read Here 
Video on Noun Top 10 Rules Part 2: Click Here
Video on Noun TOP 10 Rules Part 1: Click Here