NOUNS THAT DO NOT ATTRACT “S”

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

We need to make major changes in the ~personnels~ (nonstandard).
We need to make major changes in the personnel (standard). The people who are employed in a company, organisation, or one of the armed forces are the personnel.

The bombing caused extensive ~damages~ to the town (nonstandard).
The bombing caused extensive damage to the town (standard). Damage, on the one hand, is physical harm that is caused to an object and it is an uncountable noun. Damages, on the other hand, is a sum of money claimed or awarded in compensation for a loss or an injury:
She was awarded $284,000 in damages. ✔️

Would you like some ~fruits~ for dessert (nonstandard)?
Would you like some fruit for dessert (standard)?
The fruits or the fruit of someone’s work or activity are the good things that result from it:
The team have really worked hard and are enjoying the fruits of that labour.
GAB