clothes 作为“衣服”时,只有复数,没有单数形式。
所以也就不可能用 was 。
去掉es ,cloth 是“布料”的意思,只有单数,没有复数形式。
例句与用法:
1. Old people need warm clothes in winter.
老年人冬季需要暖和的衣服。
2. Hang the clothes on the line.
把衣服晾在绳子上。
3. Plain, simple clothes are appropriate for school wear.
简单朴素的衣服适合在学校里穿。
4. She has good taste in clothes.
她对服装有很好的审美眼光。
5. I washed many clothes with my washer last night.
我昨晚用洗衣机洗了很多衣服。
6. The beggar shivered in his scanty clothes.
乞丐穿着单薄,冻得发抖。
7. The wet clothes will soon dry in the sun.
湿衣服在太阳下很快就会干的。
8. We have to wear woolen clothes in the cold winter.
寒冷的冬天,我们不得不穿毛织品。
辨析:
clothes 和 clothing 均可表示“衣服”,用作“衣服”的统称,但在用法上有差别:
1.clothes 是一个没有单数形式的复数名词, 其前不可加不定冠词,也不可加数词,但可用 some, these, those, many, few 等词修饰。如:
正:those clothes / few clothes / many clothes
误:a clothes / two clothes / three clothes
2. clothing 是不可数名词。如:
They wear very little clothing. 他们衣服穿得很少。
3. 比较而言:clothes 的含义比较具体,而 clothing 的含义则比较抽象。从语体上看,clothing 比 clothes 更正式。比较:
I changed my clothes. 我换了衣服。
He is washing his clothes. 他在洗衣服。
Our clothing protects us against the cold. 我们的衣服可以御寒。
We are well provided with food and clothing. 我们吃得好,穿得好。
若不考虑其细微区别,两者常可换用(注:一个是复数,一个不可数)。如:
He spent a lot of money on clothes [clothing]. 他花了许多钱买衣服。