Plural: Difference between revisions
imported>Robert Thorpe m (other lingos) |
imported>Robert Thorpe (Jap) |
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Some singular words do refer to collections, groups, organisations and institutions, but are considered as one entity: collective words and some plural words do refer to one single referent. For example the word "sheep" refers to both one individual sheep, as well as a [[flock]] of sheep; the amount referenced depends on the context of the word used. | Some singular words do refer to collections, groups, organisations and institutions, but are considered as one entity: collective words and some plural words do refer to one single referent. For example the word "sheep" refers to both one individual sheep, as well as a [[flock]] of sheep; the amount referenced depends on the context of the word used. | ||
In most languages the plural of words is marked in | In most languages the plural of words is clearly marked; but in others, such as [[Japanese]], it is unmarked. | ||
[[Category:CZ Live]] | [[Category:CZ Live]] | ||
[[Category:Linguistics Workgroup]] | [[Category:Linguistics Workgroup]] | ||
Revision as of 15:30, 13 October 2007
A plural word is one which by addition of an ending (in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese usually s) to a noun, represents more than one of that particular subject. In most languages it's directly opposed to the grammatical category of 'singular' but some languages have a third category, namely 'dual'.
A singular refers to one referent of a subject, while dual refers to two referents (especially for living creatures). A plural refers to more than those units of referents.
Some singular words do refer to collections, groups, organisations and institutions, but are considered as one entity: collective words and some plural words do refer to one single referent. For example the word "sheep" refers to both one individual sheep, as well as a flock of sheep; the amount referenced depends on the context of the word used.
In most languages the plural of words is clearly marked; but in others, such as Japanese, it is unmarked.