Some plural English nouns are singular in French and vice versa

In French, collective nouns can be singular or plural.

Learn about French collective nouns

Singular where plural in English (Collective nouns)

La famille est heureuseThe family is/are happy

La police va arrêter le criminel.The police are going to arrest the criminal.

In English, what we call collective nouns (e.g. family, team, police, company, ...) can be followed by a verb either in singular or plural form, depending on whether we consider the group as a single unit (singular), or as the individuals forming the group (plural).

However, these collective nouns are always followed by singular in French. 

Plural where singular in English

Je vais en vacances en juilletI'm going on holiday in July

Elle a les cheveux blondsShe has blonde hair

Note that words such as ''holiday'' (vacances) and ''hair'' (cheveux) are always plural in French. The adjectives or verbs following them are also in plural form.


Case of toilette(s)

Où sont les toilettes s’il vous plaît ?Where is the toilet/restroom please?

Je fais ma toilette tous les matins.I have a wash every morning.
I wash myself every morning.

Note that toilettes is always used in the plural to mean "the toilet/restroom".
La toilette (singular) in French means "a (personal) wash".

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Je fais ma toilette tous les matins.I have a wash every morning.
I wash myself every morning.
Où sont les toilettes s’il vous plaît ?Where is the toilet/restroom please?

Plural where singular in English


Elle a les cheveux blondsShe has blonde hair
Je vais en vacances en juilletI'm going on holiday in July

Singular where plural in English


La famille est heureuseThe family is/are happy
La police va arrêter le criminel.The police are going to arrest the criminal.
I'll be right with you...