【趣谈英语】单词“Scissors”没有单数形式-The Word “Scissors” is a Defective Noun

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

defective¹: doesn’t function normally; imperfect

agreement: when the subject corresponds with the correct version of the verb

panties: female underwear

boxers²: male underwear that is shaped like shorts

 

wordsmith: a person who is interested in and skilled with words

 

The Word “Scissors” is a Defective Noun

In English, there are a few nouns that only have a plural³ form. The word “scissors” is one example. There is no singular form of this word and it requires plural agreement. For example: The scissors are on the table. To make this tool singular, you have to use “a pair of scissors”. Other words that don’t have a singular form are “pants”, “shorts”, “glasses (eyeglasses)”, “goggles”, “panties” and “boxers”. The Latin word for this concept is “plurale tantum”, which means plural only. Some wordsmiths prefer the term “defective nouns”.

1 defective   

adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的

参考例句：

• The firm had received bad publicity over a defective product. 该公司因为一件次品而受到媒体攻击。
• If the goods prove defective, the customer has the right to compensation. 如果货品证明有缺陷， 顾客有权索赔。

2 boxers   

n.拳击短裤；（尤指职业）拳击手( boxer的名词复数 )；拳师狗

参考例句：

• The boxers were goaded on by the shrieking crowd. 拳击运动员听见观众的喊叫就来劲儿了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The boxers slugged it out to the finish. 两名拳击手最后决出了胜负。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 plural   

n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的

参考例句：

• Most plural nouns in English end in's '.英语的复数名词多以s结尾。
• Here you should use plural pronoun.这里你应该用复数代词。