eli5: as a native english speaker, how are we supposed to know if an English words plural is the same as singular? (Ex: moose, sheep, paper)
In: Other
Paper is a particularly tricky word.
“Hand me a sheet (or piece) of paper” is the singular form — you have to specify the measure to be clear. So “two sheets of paper” is also valid, for example.
“Hand me that paper” is generally for a stack or sheaf or ream of paper, so for more than one piece. You can use the words “some paper” or “that ream of paper” for clarity.
But if you say “hand me *that* paper” it’s contextual: it could be a stack of paper, but it could be used to refer to a single document, usually printed or written on, sitting on a desk or table.
And if you say “hand me those papers” it’s definitely documents, not blank sheets. That’s why you’ll hear “papers please” at a border crossing, often in old movies. It means “show me your travel documents”.
(There’s also “fish”, “fish” and “fishes”…)
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