Why is "pants" always plural in English?

You put on one pair of pants. That's one piece of clothing, not two, so why does English treat it as plural? If you speak German, it feels even stranger, because die Hose is singular. That's why "My pants is too long" is such a common mistake. In English, though, the reason is pretty simple.

How we use "pants" in English

Pants, like shorts and jeans, are made of two matching parts, one for each leg. English treats words like this as plural, even when you're talking about a single item. So it's always "pants are," never "pants is."

• My pants are covered in mud.
• These pants are too long. I'll have to get them shortened.
• Her new yoga pants are so comfortable.

If that sounds odd, think of scissors or glasses. They're one object, but they're made of two connected parts, and they're plural too.

When you want to count them, use "pair."

• I need a new pair of pants for the wedding.
• I bought two pairs of jeans.

Other clothes that are always plural

"Pants" isn't the only one. Jeans, shorts, trousers, leggings, and pajamas all refer to a single item, but they always take a plural verb.

• These jeans are perfect.
• Those trousers are too big for you.
• The kids' pajamas are still on the floor.
• My shorts are in the wash.

Careful in the UK

Here's a difference worth knowing. In American English, "pants" means trousers. In British English, "pants" means underwear. So if you tell a British colleague you spilled coffee on your pants, they might picture something you didn't mean. In the UK, stick to "trousers" for the thing you wear over your underwear.

So no matter how many pants, shorts, or pajamas you own, you'll always talk about them in the plural. The more you practice, the more natural it'll feel, just like putting on your pants.

It's one thing to read about it, but it helps to see and hear how these words are used. Tune in to our Daily Dose of Denglisch Docs.