In most instances, use nouns that agree in number when they refer to the same topic, person, or object.

Sometimes, however, the context calls for both singular and plural nouns.

E3-a Select corresponding singular or plural forms for related references to a noun.

When several nouns are used to develop a topic, they may describe and expand the characteristics of a key noun, act as synonyms for one another, or develop related points in the discussion. A sentence or passage that includes such nouns will generally be clearer and more effective if the nouns agree in number.

E3-b Decide whether a noun should be singular or plural.

A noun may need to agree with another word in the sentence or may need to be singular or plural to fit the context or idiomatic usage. Be sure to consider the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

In this sentence, the writer consistently uses plural forms (they, their, and bodies) to refer to the minnows but also uses meat, which takes a singular form in this context.

Note: Nouns such as kind are singular, although they have plural forms (kinds). Use this and that instead of these and those to modify the singular forms of kind and similar words. Expressions with kind of or sort of are usually singular.

Change a noun to singular or plural to agree with a preceding indefinite adjective.

Consider changing a noun to singular or plural to reflect its context.

Sometimes it is customary to treat an abstract quality (such as justice or power) as a singular noun. In other cases, a noun should be singular or plural to fit with the grammar or logic of the rest of the sentence.

Some common idiomatic expressions mix singular and plural forms.