English teacher
Because it refers to more than one sea.
We went down in rough seas.
But: The rough sea prevented us from sailing that night.
WW
Student or Learner
Results 1 to 6 of 6
Thread: rough seas
-
Junior Member
- Join Date: Jan 2012
- Posts: 61
- Post Thanks / Like
#1 19-Feb-2012, 01:07rough seas
Dear teachers
In the phrase of rough seas, why should sea be in the plural?
Thank you in advance.
-
Member
English Teacher
- Join Date: Jan 2012
- Posts: 141
- Post Thanks / Like
#2 19-Feb-2012, 01:38Re: rough seas
-
Newbie
Student or Learner
- Join Date: Feb 2012
- Posts: 10
- Post Thanks / Like
#3 19-Feb-2012, 01:48Re: rough seas
Off-topic perhaps, but is "rough seas" meant to be taken literally or figuratively? Just asking because I have never heard of this phrase before.
Originally Posted by dut_thinker
Last edited by murmunisttoi; 24-Feb-2012 at 03:40.
-
Member
Interested in Language
- Join Date: Sep 2010
- Posts: 268
- Post Thanks / Like
#4 19-Feb-2012, 04:01Re: rough seas
Rough seas is an expression used to describe a challenging time or experience.
He's facing rough seas ahead.
-
Moderator
Other
- Join Date: Mar 2007
- Posts: 19,043
- Post Thanks / Like
#5 19-Feb-2012, 05:33Re: rough seas
It also can be quite literal.
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.
-
Moderator
Retired English Teacher
- Join Date: Jun 2010
- Posts: 23,171
- Post Thanks / Like
#6 19-Feb-2012, 09:40Re: rough seas
As you can see from the above replies, depending on the context it doesn't have to be in the plural. Originally Posted by dut_thinker
Rover
Similar Threads
-
[Idiom] were living rough
By maral55 in forum Ask a TeacherReplies: 3Last Post: 02-Feb-2010, 20:26 -
a rough whatever
By meskete in forum Ask a TeacherReplies: 4Last Post: 04-Dec-2008, 13:51 -
Article " the " with seas, rivers
By Radres in forum Ask a TeacherReplies: 5Last Post: 18-May-2007, 18:31
Bookmarks