(the) rest

The rest means ‘what is left’. It is singular in form, and the is always used.

• We only use three rooms. The rest of the house is empty.

To talk about what is left after something has been used up, eaten, destroyed, etc, we often use other words.

• There were remains of the meal all over the floor. (not There were rests …)
• Supper tonight is leftovers from lunch. (not … rests …)
• If you divide 100 by 12, the remainder is 4.

When the rest refers to a plural noun, it has a plural verb.

• There are four chocolates for Penny, four for Joe and the rest are mine. (not … the rest is mine.)