English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
NOUNS THAT DO NOT ATTRACT “S”
She placed the breakfast tray on my ~laps~ (nonstandard).
She placed the breakfast tray on my lap (standard). The top surface of the upper part of the legs of a person who is sitting down is called lap.
The students were given ~stationeries~ (nonstandard).
The students were given stationery (standard). The things needed for writing, such as paper, pens, pencils, and envelopes are all called stationery. Note that “stationery” is a noun while “stationary” is an adjective which means for something to be static:
A stationary vehicle has been in front of the house for some months.
The spaghetti was served with ~beefs~ (nonstandard).
The spaghetti was served with beef (standard). The meat from bull, cow or an ox is called beef.
GAB
