clothes 和 clothing 可數(shù)嗎
clothes 和 clothing 均可表示“衣服”,用作“衣服”的統(tǒng)稱,但在用法上有差別:
1.clothes 是一個沒有單數(shù)形式的復數(shù)名詞, 其前不可加不定冠詞,也不可加數(shù)詞,但可用 some, these, those, many, few 等詞修飾。如:
正:those clothes / few clothes / many clothes
誤:a clothes / two clothes / three clothes
2. clothing 是不可數(shù)名詞。如:
They wear very little clothing. 他們衣服穿得很少。
3. 比較而言:clothes 的含義比較具體,而 clothing 的含義則比較抽象。從語體上看,clothing 比 clothes 更正式。比較:
I changed my clothes. 我換了衣服。
He is washing his clothes. 他在洗衣服。
Our clothing protects us against the cold. 我們的衣服可以御寒。
We are well provided with food and clothing. 我們吃得好,穿得好。
若不考慮其細微區(qū)別,兩者??蓳Q用(注:一個是復數(shù),一個不可數(shù))。如:
He spent a lot of money on clothes [clothing]. 他花了許多錢買衣服。