plurális

Plurális is a grammatical category expressing quantity greater than one. In linguistics, it refers to a form or set of forms used to indicate that there are several instances of a referent. It is typically contrasted with singular, the form used for one individual. While commonly applied to nouns, plural markings may also appear on pronouns, determiners, adjectives, and sometimes verbs to show agreement with a plural subject.

Realization varies by language. Most languages mark plurals on the noun with affixes (for example English -s, Turkish -ler/-lar, Hungarian -k), internal vowel changes, or irregular suppletion. In some languages, plural is signaled only on the determiner or via verb agreement, and in others, nouns are not morphologically marked for number at all and plural is inferred from context. Some languages have more than one plural system, such as dual or paucal numbers in addition to the general plural.

Semantic notes: Some nouns are pluralia tantum, existing only in plural form (scissors, trousers). Others are mass or collective and may not have a plural form in normal usage. In many languages, plural affects other parts of the clause, especially verbs and adjectives, which must agree in number with the noun.

Cross-linguistic variation is significant: while English uses a distinct plural form for most nouns, languages like Chinese typically use little or no plural marking and rely on quantifiers and context. Arabic uses sound and broken plurals with extensive patterns.

See also: number (grammar), singular, dual, paucal, agreement.