1.46 other modifiers and qualifiers

Some plural nouns are rarely used alone without a modifier or qualifier, because they need supporting material.

• It did wonders for one's own good manners.
• ...the hidden pressures of direct government funding.
• Naval forces are excluded from the talks.

Here is a list of plural nouns that are rarely used alone without a modifier or qualifier:

• affairs, clothes, conditions, defences, demands, details, effects, forces, hopes, lines, manners, materials, matters, pressures, proportions, quarters, relations, remains, sands, services, thoughts, wastes, ways, words, works, writings