When is plural applied?

Had an interesting thought.

Are the dishes clean?

pl      pl

Is this stuff clean?

si      si but implies plural

How do other languages handle the pluralness of nouns that represent a
plural idea (inherently mass).

I can think of three solutions to this:
	1. It's singular so use singular verb
	2. It's a mass so use plural verb
	3. It's a special case so use a separate case

My American uses number 1. Do any other languages (NAT and CON) use the
other two?

Replies