Strength in numbers

How many pants are in a pair of pants? Learn about 11 plural-only words

Credit: Hannah Busing

Some words just can’t be left alone. You can have a pair of glasses, climb the stairs, or dip into your savings, but try talking about just one "glass," (for your eyes) "stair," or "saving," and it suddenly feels a bit off. These traits go unnoticed most of the time, but they do exist. These 11 common words exist only in the plural form.

Credit: Dmitry Ratushny

It probably has to do with a pair of glasses having two separate pieces of glass, one for each eye. A similar element, but with a single glass, would be called a monocle.

Therefore, glasses only exist in their plural form, as only two make a complete set.

Credit: Fujiphilm

The word "clothes" is always plural because it refers to multiple garments, not just one. Also, it differs from "cloth," which means the material.

Historically, "clothes" evolved from "cloths," once the plural of "cloth," which also meant a garment. As "cloth" shifted to mean just fabric, "clothes" kept their meaning as a collection of items like shirts, pants, or socks.

Credit: Matt Artz

A pair of scissors is composed of two blades, each with a handle attached to it, held together by a screw in the center. That is why it is called a pair of scissors and not just one scissors.

Theoretically, one could have a single scissor, meaning one blade, but it would not serve its natural purpose of cutting things by sliding the two blades together.

Credit: Serhat Beyazkaya

The word "stairs_"_ is plural because it refers to a set or flight of steps, not just one. The structure involves multiple steps, making the plural form more natural in everyday use.

Yes, "stair" can appear in older texts or compound words like "staircase," but it’s less common and often refers to a single step or the entire flight. Still, most people use "stairs" to describe the full set.

Credit: lan deng

Not unlike the previously mentioned glasses, "pants" are always plural because they come from pantaloons, which were originally two separate pieces: one for each leg. Even though modern pants are a single garment, the plural form stuck.

"Pants" is just a shortened form of "pantaloons," and the idea of two leg coverings helped keep the plural usage alive through habit and tradition.

Credit: Luca Laurence

This one can seem tricky at first, since a person could, theoretically, own a single thing, but there is a logical explanation as to why it is a plural-only word. "Belongings" is plural because it refers to a collection of personal items someone owns, like clothes, books, or furniture. It implies more than one object, making the plural form natural.

The singular "belonging" has a different meaning altogether: it describes the feeling of being accepted or fitting in, not physical possessions.

Credit: C D-X

The word "headphones" is usually plural because it refers to a device with two earpieces worn on both ears. While "earphones" can describe the individual parts, the full set is commonly called "headphones."

Modern headphones are typically stereo and designed as a pair, which, in turn, reinforces the use of the plural form.

Credit: SAIFEE TARWALA

The word "species" is used for both singular and plural forms, especially in biology. It comes from Latin, where the form was the same in both cases, which explains the modern usage.

In the world of taxonomy, "species" acts as a collective noun for organisms with shared traits.

Credit: kaboompics

Similar to scissors, the word "tongs" is always plural because it describes a tool made of two connected parts that work together, just like scissors or pliers. This dual structure leads to the use of a plural noun, even for a single tool.

In English, tools with two joined parts are often plural nouns used only in the plural. It’s a common use born out of how these items are constructed and used.

Credit: Waldemar

A word with grim connotations, indeed, "remains" is usually plural because it refers to leftover parts or pieces of something, like uneaten food or human remains. Even when it’s one item, it’s seen as part of a whole that’s no longer intact.

It works as a collective noun, emphasizing the idea of multiple fragments. Though not strictly plural-only, it’s almost always used in the plural to reflect this meaning.

Credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya

No one talks about "saving," meaning a collected amount of money. And that is because the word "savings" looks plural but can act as either a plural or a mass noun. For example, "significant savings" treats it as plural, while "the savings are substantial" treats it as a total amount.

As a mass noun, "savings" refers to the money saved overall, much like "money" itself. As it was seen in the previous examples, context determines whether it's treated as singular or plural.

Risky business

The world's 10 most dangerous jobs: You won't believe what's at #4!

Credit: John O'Nolan

All jobs come with risks, but some are far more dangerous than others. Certain jobs aren’t for everyone, yet someone has to do them—and many take them on with remarkable dedication and enthusiasm. Here are 10 of the most dangerous jobs in the world, ranked from least to most dangerous. Let’s take a look!

Credit: Scott Rodgerson

This is likely one of the first professions that comes to mind when we think of dangerous jobs. While it’s true that police work can put an officer’s physical safety at risk, here it ranks at number 10 on the list. It may not be the most deadly job, but the high level of unpredictability and constant stress officers face makes it a career not suited for everyone.

Credit: MRC Témiscamingue

When it comes to non-fatal injuries, factory workers are among the most at risk. With production lines filled with heavy machinery and hazardous materials, accidents happen more often than we'd like. In 2022 alone, over 350,000 non-fatal injuries were reported in US manufacturing jobs, many involving hand injuries from contact with equipment.

Credit: Zetong Li

Traffic, especially on highways and busy roads, can be dangerous. Professional drivers must not only be familiar with their own vehicle and the road, but also remain alert to the unpredictable behavior of others. Fatigue from long hours of work is another significant risk factor. For these reasons, being a cab, bus, or truck driver can actually be more dangerous than being a police officer. Surprising, right? But it's true: according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation incidents generally account for about 37% of all work-related fatalities.

Credit: Jay Clark

Refuse collectors come in at #7 on the list. These everyday heroes face risks that most people are unaware of. Apart from dealing with constant traffic, they're exposed to contamination, harmful bacteria, and even physical injuries from sharp or hazardous items hidden in the trash. Applause for collectors and the incredible work they do!

Credit: Zohair Mirza

If you're afraid of heights, this probably isn't the job for you. Roofers consistently rank among the top 5 most dangerous jobs in the US and the world! But it's not just the height that makes this job risky; handling heavy, sometimes hazardous materials while maintaining balance is enough to challenge even the most experienced tightrope walker. On top of that, cold, windy, or wet weather makes the job even riskier.

Credit: Pedro Henrique Santos

Despite technological advances, mining remains a perilous job. Working deep underground comes with constant risk: tunnels can collapse, potentially trapping workers or causing painful, even fatal, injuries. In addition, remote locations, extreme temperatures, and exposure to chemicals and explosives only add to the dangers. For these reasons, miners rank at #5 on this list of the world’s most dangerous jobs.

Credit: Rob Mulder

Just like us, you might be surprised to learn that farmers rank #4 among the most dangerous jobs. While life in the countryside may seem peaceful compared to the city, farming is actually very demanding.

Farmers work long hours and face constant risks: handling animals, operating large and dangerous machinery, exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, and working on uneven terrain, ladders, or inside silos are just some of the challenges they confront every day.

Credit: Kristopher Allison

While miners face danger underground, pilots confront it in the skies. Being a pilot can be thrilling and rewarding, but it also carries serious risks. Operating complex aircraft at high altitudes means that any mechanical failure can be extremely difficult to manage. Pilots can’t always land immediately in an emergency and may have to remain in the air while troubleshooting. Add unpredictable weather into the mix, and it’s clear why this is one of the most demanding—and dangerous—jobs.

Credit: Paul Einerhand

Commercial fishing is nothing like spending a relaxing Saturday casting a line with a friend. These workers can spend months at sea, operating heavy equipment while navigating rough waters, unpredictable weather, and even the dangers posed by marine wildlife. In the US, studies show that about 51% of fishing-related fatalities are caused by vessel disasters, while 30% result from falls overboard—making this one of the most perilous jobs in the world**.**

Credit: The Oregon State University Collections and Archives

Using large axes and chainsaws while surrounded by massive trees that could fall at any moment is just one of the everyday dangers loggers face. In fact, the risk is so high that they hold the #1 spot among the world’s most dangerous jobs. Logging carries a high risk of fatalities and injuries each year, with most deaths caused by falling trees.