 #17 (permalink) Mon Jul 07, 2008 22:39 pm When should we use 'sky' in the plural (skies) instead of in the singular? |
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| nessie wrote: |
| MrPedantic wrote: |
Hello Nessie,
| nessie wrote: |
However, what about the case of using "skies" for the weather (which Barb mentioned)? (Do you think they use the plural to mean something portentous?)
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That's an interesting one. The weatherman tells me to expect clear skies; but I think to myself, "yes, the sky is clear". Wild guess: perhaps "skies" there relates to all our different experiences of "sky".
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??? :roll: :roll: :roll: ???
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:)
1. Weatherman B: We can expect a clear sky tonight.
2. Weatherman A: We can expect clear skies tonight.
To me, #1 suggests that all the tv viewers share the same sky; and it will be clear for all of us.
#2 however suggests that Mr X in London sees one portion of sky, and Ms Y in Manchester sees a different portion of sky. Both can expect a "clear" sky; but of course each will see a slightly different set of celestial phenomena, at any given moment. Hence my perhaps "skies" there relates to all our different experiences of "sky".
It may be that another member will interpret the difference differently, though!
Best wishes,
MrP |
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MrPedantic
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 1326
Location: Southern England
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