[16] To THE TEACHER.—­To have its full value this should be given as a dictation exercise. [17] Consult a dictionary for this and similar nouns. [18] Proper names preceded by a title are made plural by changing either the name or the title, and using “the” before the expression.  We may say “the Miss Smiths” or “the Misses Smith,” “the Doctors Young” or “the Doctor Youngs.”

EXERCISE XII.

Distinguish between:—­

1.  Two dice (dies) were found in the prisoner’s pockets. 2.  He was always kind to his brothers (brethren). 3.  How many shot (shots) did you count? 4.  He carried two pailfuls (pails full) of water up the hill. 5.  I have two handfuls (hands full) of gold-dust. 6.  He gave the beggar six pennies (pence). 7.  There are serious errors in the indexes (indices) in this new Algebra. 8.  Ten shot (shots) were fired from the gun in fifteen minutes.

EXERCISE XIII.

Which of the following forms should be used?  Consult Hill’s “Foundations,” pp. 45-47:—­

1.  The members of the committee were greatly alarmed at this (these) news. 2.  Tidings was (were) brought to them of the massacre on Snake River. 3.  The endowment of the college was greatly increased by this (these)
   means.
4.  The widow’s means was (were) at first large, but it was (they were) soon
   exhausted by the prodigality of her son.
5.  The assets of the company are (is) $167,000. 6.  The dregs in the cup was (were) found to be very bitter. 7.  The eaves of the new house are (is) thirty-two feet above the ground. 8.  Athletics are (is) run into the ground in many schools. 9.  Politics is (are) like a stone tied around the neck of literature. 10.  The nuptials of Gratiano and Nerissa were (was) celebrated at the same
    time as those (that) of Bassanio and Portia.
11.  Ethics are (is) becoming more and more prominent in the discussions of
    political economists.
12.  Have you seen my pincers?  I have mislaid it (them). 13.  The proceeds was (were) given to the hospital. 14.  His riches took to themselves (itself) wings. 15.  This (these) scissors is (are) not sharp. 16.  Please pour this (these) suds on the rose plants in the oval flowerbed. 17.  His tactics was (were) much criticised by old generals. 18.  The United States has (have) informed Spain that it (they) will not
    permit Spanish interference in the affairs of Central America.

NOUNS of FOREIGN ORIGIN.[19]—­The following is a list of nouns of foreign origin in common use which have peculiar number forms:—­