News, maths and physics end in S, but we say "the news is", because English treats each as one thing.
The weird part
Most words that end in S are plural. Dogs are, books are, cats are. So this looks wrong:
❌ The news are good.
✅ The news is good.
The same goes for school subjects:
✅ Physics is my favourite lesson.
✅ Maths is fun after lunch.
✅ Mathematics is a very old subject.
News: once it was plural
The word news is built from new. Long ago in Middle English, it was the plural of the noun new, meaning new things. The meaning probably followed the French word nouvelles.
Even so, English began to treat it as one thing. It was used with a singular verb from at least the 1560s, although some writers still used a plural verb until the 1800s.
School subjects ending in S
Maths, physics and mathematics also end in S, but each names one subject. When you say physics is hard, you mean the whole subject, not many physics.
In American English, people say math, with no S. In British English, they say maths. Both take a singular verb.
A piece of news
Because news acts like one thing, you can't count it as one news or two newses. You count it with a helper:
✅ I have a piece of news.
✅ Here are two pieces of news.
❌ I have a news.
❌ I have two newses.
The real plurals look different
Some S words really are plural. They need a plural verb, and you can't use a with them. Trousers and scissors are like that. We say My trousers are muddy, and you can read about them in Why Are Trousers and Scissors Always Plural?.
So the trick is to ask: does the word name one thing, or many?
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Use is, not are.
❌ The news are on at six.
✅ The news is on at six.
Do not say a news.
❌ I heard a good news.
✅ I heard some good news. / I heard a piece of good news.
Subjects take a singular verb too.
❌ Maths are difficult today.
✅ Maths is difficult today.
💬 In a Conversation
Sam: I have good news and bad news.
Mia: Is the news about maths?
Sam: Yes. Maths is cancelled. Physics is next.
Mia: That is two pieces of news. Which one is good?
⏳ The OddLingo Timeline
new things (plural of "new") → "news" in Middle English → treated as singular from at least the 1560s → plural verbs still used in places into the 1800s → today: "the news is"
🥡 The OddLingo Takeaway
An S on the end does not always mean many.
If the word names one thing, like news or a school subject, use is. If it names a plural pair or group, like trousers, use are.