9

The word series seems to generally refer to a group which I would think makes it a singular reference, however the ies ending is also a common way to modify a singular noun into a plural noun (eg., puppies, fancies, harpies).

So is series plural or singular, and if plural, what is the singular version?

sanpaco
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  • It can be used either way, depending on what you want to draw attention to in the sentence: the whole as a unit, or the individual constituents. That will govern number agreement in other verbs, etc. – Dan Bron Oct 19 '18 at 16:58
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    It's the same with *species. In a comment to a question I asked here some years ago, [I chose "species*" in my example because it's the same form in singular and plural.](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/35389/there-is-are-more-than-one-whats-the-difference/108112#comment64317_35391) – FumbleFingers Oct 19 '18 at 17:11

2 Answers2

17

Series is singular and doesn’t change in the plural. Its spelling originates from Latin:

1610s, "a number or set of things of one kind arranged in a line," from Latin series "row, chain, series, sequence, succession".

(Etymonline)

user 66974
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11

"Series" can be singular or plural depending on context.

I like to watch TV series.

Uses series as a plural and means you like to watch a number of different TV shows.

I like to watch a TV series.

Uses series as singular and means you like to watch one TV show.

M. Kumas
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