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Have you ever wondered if the word “news” is plural? Here’s a quick grammar lesson on the subject.
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The History of News
News is an important part of our lives, but have you ever stopped to think about where it comes from? The word “news” is actually derived from the Latin word “novus,” meaning “new.” In medieval England, the word “news” referred to stories about events that had recently happened. These stories were often carried by messengers on horseback, which is how the phrase “to ride shotgun” was born. So, where did news come from? Let’s take a look.
News in the Middle Ages
Some form of public communication existed in most cultures around the world by the Middle Ages. In Europe, towns would post bulletins of local news on a wooden board for all to see. This practice eventually spread to other parts of the continent, and by the 13th century, Italian city-states were sending out handwritten newsletters with news from other cities.
The first true newspaper was published in Germany in 1609. Called Avisa Relation oder Zeitung, it was a weekly publication that contained news from all over Europe. The concept quickly caught on, and by the 18th century, newspapers could be found all over the world.
The Industrial Revolution ushered in a new age of mass production, and newspapers became even more common. With the advent of radio and television, news became more accessible than ever before. Today, we can get our news anytime, anywhere with just a few clicks of a button.
News in the Renaissance
In the 15th century, news became a commodity carried by professional messengers called couriers. The first regular courier service was established between Venice and Vienna in 1486, and other Italian city-states soon followed suit. By the early 16th century, regular courier services were carrying news on a network of routes covering most of Europe.
The first European newspaper was published in Germany in 1609, and by the mid-17th century newspapers were being published all over Europe. By the early 18th century, newspapers were an important source of information for the educated public, and they played a significant role in the spread of Enlightenment ideas.
The development of the telegraph in the 19th century revolutionized news reporting, and by the end of the century newspapers were being printed on a daily basis all over the world. In the 20th century, radio and television became important news mediums, and today the internet has emerged as a major source of news and information.
News in the Modern Era
The word “news” is plural, meaning “new things.” The word entered English in the 14th century from the Middle Dutch word “nieuswaer,” which itself derived from the Old French “newal,” meaning “new action or thing.”
The concept of news, however, is much older than the word itself. For centuries, people have been sharing information about current events, and the practice has taken many different forms. In ancient times, for example, news was often spread by travelers who would share stories about far-off lands they had visited.
The first form of modern news media was probably Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of movable type in 1439, which made it possible to print books and pamphlets relatively cheaply and quickly. This innovation led to a huge increase in the production and distribution of printed materials, including news sheets known as “corantos.”
Corantos were typically published weekly and contained a mix of local and foreign news as well as gossip, satire and opinion pieces. They were extremely popular in 17th-century England and America; one of the most famous early corantos was John Twyn’s “Mercurius Britannicus,” which was published in London from 1641 to 1646.
The development of postal systems in the 17th century made it possible to distribute news even more widely and quickly. The first successful daily newspaper appeared in London in 1665; it was called “The London Gazette” and contained mostly government announcements. The first successful daily newspaper in America was “The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser,” which debuted in 1784.
In the 19th century, advances in printing technology led to a boom in newspaper publishing; by 1900 there were more than 11,000 newspapers being published in the United States alone. The rise of mass-circulation newspapers coincided with an explosion of interest in news reporting among the general public. This was due partly to an increase in literacy rates (thanks largely to mandatory education laws), but also to a growing belief that knowledge about current events was key to being an informed citizen
The Grammar of News
News can be a tricky word when it comes to grammar. Is it plural or singular? The answer is both. It all depends on how you are using the word. If you are referring to a specific piece of news, then it is singular. If you are referring to multiple pieces of news, then it is plural.
The Plurality of News
In recent years, the word “news” has become increasingly plural in both speech and writing. This is likely due to the fact that there are now more sources of news than ever before, including traditional news outlets like newspapers and television stations, as well as new digital sources like websites and blogs.
So what is the correct way to refer to news? While there is no definitive answer, it seems that both singular and plural forms are used with equal frequency. In other words, you can say “I need to catch up on the news” or “I need to catch up on the news,” and both would be considered grammatically correct.
Ultimately, whether you use a singular or plural verb form with “news” is a matter of personal preference. Just be consistent throughout your writing, and you’ll be fine.
The Singularity of News
News is one of those words that seems to be both singular and plural. We can say “The news is on at six” or “Have you heard the news?” and both sentences are correct. So what’s going on?
The word news comes from the Old English word newes, which was plural. Over time, newes transformed into the singular form news. This is an example of something called suppletion, where one form of a word (in this case, the plural) is replaced by another form (the singular). This can happen for a number of reasons, but in the case of news, it’s likely because the singular form is more commonly used.
While news can be both singular and plural, there are some situations where you will want to use one form or the other. For example, if you’re referring to a specific piece of information or story, you would use the singular form: “What’s the latest news?” On the other hand, if you’re talking about multiple pieces of information or stories, you would use the plural form: “There have been some interesting developments in the news recently.”
In general, then, you can use either the singular or plural form of news. Just be aware that there are some instances where one form is more appropriate than the other.
The Future of News
In a rapidly changing media landscape, the future of news is uncertain. With the rise of digital media, traditional news sources are struggling to keep up. At the same time, new media outlets are popping up, giving people more choices for where to get their news. So, what does the future of news look like?
The Death of News
The future of news is under threat. The business model that has sustained journalism for centuries is collapsing. Newspapers are struggling to survive as advertising revenue dries up and readers move online. The pandemic has only accelerated the trend, with many publications forced to close their doors for good.
The death of news would be a tragedy for democracy. A healthy society needs a vibrant Fourth Estate to hold power to account and inform the public. But the problems facing journalism go beyond economics. Technology has transformed the way we consume news, and social media has created filter bubbles that reinforce our worldviews.
The future of news depends on finding a way to sustain quality journalism in the digital age. This will require bold thinking and innovative solutions. It is time to re-imagine the news industry for the 21st century.
The Rebirth of News
The future of news is looking bright, despite the challenges it faces. In the past decade, we’ve seen the rise of fake news, the decline of print journalism, and the proliferation of online news sources. But there’s still a hunger for quality news, and a new generation of journalists is working to meet that demand.
The decline of print journalism has been one of the most difficult challenges for the news industry. As more people turn to online sources for their news, print newspapers have been struggling to stay afloat. This has led to layoffs and closures at many newspapers across the country. But there’s still a place for print journalism, and many people still prefer to get their news from a physical newspaper.
The rise of fake news is another challenge that journalism is facing. With so many sources of information available online, it’s sometimes difficult to know what’s true and what’s false. Fake news stories can spread quickly and easily, and they can be difficult to spot. This has led to a decline in trust in the media overall.
Despite these challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of news. For one thing, there’s still a demand for quality journalism. People want to read stories that are well-reported and accurate. They also want stories that are interesting and engaging. In other words, they want stories that are worth their time.
There’s also a new generation of journalists who are committed to quality journalism. These journalists are using new platforms and technologies to tell stories in ways that hadn’t been possible before. They’re reaching new audiences and redefining what it means to be a journalist in the 21st century.
