A Transcendent Voice - New York Times
Actually, I was trying to figure when to use the plural "spirits". Dictionaries seem to suggest the singular and plural forms are the same. I am probably wrong as usual.....
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
(1) You are
not "wrong as usual."
(2) You have asked an excellent question that many native speakers such as I
cannot answer with 100% confidence.
(3) Maybe (maybe!):
(a) The use of the singular and the plural can sometimes be interchangeable.
(b) It is one of those things that you must learn a "feeling" for. That is, the more
you understand English the more you will want to use either the singular or plural.
(4) I found some helpful sentences on the oneline Macmillan Dictionary:
Plural (mood or attitude)
She tried to keep her spirits up.
The bad weather did nothing to lift her spirits up.
Dad's in high spirits today, isn't he?
Singular ( an enthusiastic or determined attitude)
She was admired for her spirit and passion.
(5) Maybe (maybe!) the plural is more general in meaning, and the singular is more
specific?
(a) For example, many years ago there was a famous writer in England named O.W.
He was sent to prison for two years because of something that he had done in his
private life. Prison broke his spirit. Soon after he left prison, he died.
(b) Look at Mona! She's usually so sad, but today she seems in high spirits.
Maybe she has found a boyfriend.
(Those two examples are only mine; I do
not say that I am right.)
(6) If you find a good explanation, please share it with us.
