water的複數是什麼

water的複數是什麼

water是大家很熟悉的一個詞,大家對它的認識是,它的意思是“水”,它是物質名詞,所以不可數,不能用複數.但是,使許多同學感到困惑的是,我們教材上或考試試卷上卻經常可以見到waters用法.為幫助同學們解决這一困惑,本文特對water的複數用法作一歸納.
一、表示江河湖海等的“水域”“水體”時,習慣上要用複數.如:
They will cross the waters tomorrow.他們明天要渡海.
The waters of the lake flow out over a large waterfall.這個湖的水流出後形成一個大瀑布.
This is where the waters of Amazon flow out into the sea.這就是亞馬遜河入海的地方.
二、表示某國的“近海”“海域”“領海”時,習慣上要用複數.如:
British territorial waters英國的海域
British waters were a“military area”.英國領海是“軍事區”.
The number of fish in coastal waters has decreased.沿海魚的數量已减少了.
The ship successfully underwent sea trials in coastal waters.那條船在近海水域試航成功.
三、表示“礦泉水”“泉水”“噴泉水花”時,習慣上要用複數.如:
We drink table waters.我們喝瓶裝礦泉水.
A great poem is a fountain forever overflowing with the waters of wisdom and delight.一首偉大的詩篇猶如一座噴泉,永遠噴出智慧和歡樂的水花.
注:take [drink] the waters為習語,指喝礦泉水治療或到礦泉勝地療養.如:
He went abroad to drink the waters他出國去進行礦泉治療.
He is taking [drinking] the waters at Bath.他在巴斯進行礦泉治療.
四、表示“洪水”等大量的水時,習慣上要用複數.如:
The flood waters are going down.洪水漸退.
The dam was not strong enough to hold back the flood waters.水壩不太堅固,擋不住洪水.
五、表示幾條不同河流或海域的水,習慣上要用複數.如:
The waters of the two rivers mingled(together)to form one river.兩條河匯合成一條.
六、在某些固定表達中,習慣上用複數.如:
in smooth water(s)進展順利,一帆風順
pour oil on troubled waters平息風波,作和事佬,調停爭端
fish in muddy waters趁火打劫,混水摸魚
fish in troubled waters混水摸魚