The woods=one specific place needs plural or singular verb?

[sb70012]

Hello teachers,
Cambridge Dictionary says:
Wood: /wʊd/ noun/ group of trees: [ C ] ( also woods [ plural ] ) an area of land covered with a thick growth of trees.
We went for a walk in the woods after lunch.

This is my question: suppose that there is one place which is really "the woods". Dictionary says "the woods" is plural. If I see a place which is "the woods" on that time I should use plural verb or singular?
Look at these sentences:

I love this woods. (one specific place)

I love these woods. (one specific place)

This woods is really beautiful. (one specific place)

These woods are beautiful. (one specific place)

Now you see my confusion? I mean if it's one specific place again I should use plural verb for it?

Thank you.

 

[Tdol]

This wood is really beautiful. :tick:
These woods are really beautiful. :tick:
This woods is really beautiful. :cross:

 

[SoothingDave]

You very rarely see "wood" used as singular. I can't think of when I would ever use it.

 

[Rover_KE]

`
You surprise me, Dave. We have a pretty little wood near our house.


wood /wʊd/n

• the hard fibrous substance consisting of xylem tissue that occurs beneath the bark in trees, shrubs, and similar plants
• the trunks of trees that have been cut and prepared for use as a building material
• a collection of trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, etc, usually dominated by one or a few species of tree: usually smaller than a forest: an oak wood

(Collins)

 

[SoothingDave]

You surprise me, Dave. We have a pretty little wood near our house.

And I have woods behind my house.

 

[konungursvia]

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep.

Frost

 

[billmcd]

And I have woods behind my house.

And so do I, but the issue sent me to my Webster's because I have heard/read "wood" used in the singular (particularly in poetry or literature) to describe a "dense growth of trees usu. greater in extent than a grove and smaller than a forest-- often used in plural but singular or plural in construction

 

[SoothingDave]

And so do I, but the issue sent me to my Webster's because I have heard "wood" used as such (particularly in poetry or literature) to describe a "dense growth of trees usu. greater in extent than a grove and smaller than a forest-- often used in plural but singular or plural in construction

Hundred Acre Wood - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Winnie the Pooh lived in the Hundred Acre Wood. So, I get its use. I just don't think it is commonly used in AmE outside of place names or, like you said, poetic or literary use.

 

[Barb_D]

I've always thought the use in the singular was British. Perhaps Pooh influenced my thinking.

 

[emsr2d2]

I've always thought the use in the singular was British. Perhaps Pooh influenced my thinking.

Pooh should influence everyone's thinking!

We use "a/the wood" frequently in BrE.

 

[Barb_D]

Pooh should influence everyone's thinking!

I found Wisdom in the small book The Tao of Pooh.

 

[emsr2d2]

I found Wisdom in the small book The Tao of Pooh.

Great book. Do you have the partner book, The Te of Piglet?

 

[Tdol]

You very rarely see "wood" used as singular. I can't think of when I would ever use it.

It's not uncommon in BrE. I'd use it more for a small area of trees than a forest.