TKG English Learner's Dictionary

mathematics

mathematicsnoun

American /ˌmæθ.əˈmæt.ɪks/ British /ˌmæθ.əˈmæt.ɪks/
American form: math (the everyday short form, used with a singular verb like the full word)
British form: maths (the everyday short form, used with a singular verb like the full word)
no plural
fairly common

  1. the study of numbers, shapes, and quantities, and the relationships between them

    Although mathematics ends in -s, it is used with a singular verb: mathematics is difficult for some students. The short form math is used in American English and maths in British English.

    uncountable [U]

    • She studies mathematics at university.
    • Mathematics was never my strongest subject.
    • He teaches mathematics to high school students.
    • Mathematics helps us understand patterns in the world.

    Collocations

    verb + noun study mathematics, teach mathematics
    adjective + noun advanced mathematics, applied mathematics, pure mathematics

Word family

  • mathematical

Common mistakes

Mathematics are difficult. Mathematics is difficult.
despite the -s ending, mathematics takes a singular verb

For translators

Grammar trap Mathematics ends in -s but takes a singular verb: mathematics is, not mathematics are.