Understanding Furniture: Is it Singular or Plural?

Have you ever wondered if furniture is singular or plural? Learn more about this mass noun and how to use it correctly.

Understanding Furniture: Is it Singular or Plural?
Have you ever wondered if furniture is singular or plural? It's a common question, and the answer may surprise you. Furniture is actually a mass noun, meaning it does not have a separate plural form. However, the word furniture can be used to describe a set of furnitures or an entire set of furnitures. In some cases, the plural form is furnitures, and sometimes it can also mean woodworm. When speaking formally, it's best to use the singular form of furniture. This makes it sound more professional and elegant. You can also use furnitures in informal writing, such as when referring to an office cubicle or chairs. Furniture is an aggregate noun, which means it represents an indefinite number of elements or parts like chair or table. It's like information, or furniture, or even news, which, despite the last -s, are always unique. The same goes for the noun furniture, except that with furniture, the plural form is the same as the singular form. Parts or divisions are expressed as a piece of furniture, furniture, types of furniture, some furniture, all furniture, etc. For example all the pieces of furniture in the room are new. When talking about one chair or table, you say a piece of furniture. The noun furniture is always followed by a singular verb: The furniture was in good condition. In more general contexts, in common use, the plural form will also be furniture. However, in more specific contexts, the plural form can also be furnitures e.g. in reference to various types of furnitures or a collection of furnitures. To sum up, furniture is an uncountable noun and does not have a plural form. It is always followed by a singular verb and when talking about one chair or table you say a piece of furniture.