[Grammar] All the trouble/troubles

[holdenenglish]

Dear Teachers

Seeking your advice. In the following sentence, is there any difference between using "trouble" or "troubles"? Which one preferred?

The campaign did not offer voters much of a positive agenda; rather, it consisted largely of urging them to blame Mr Leung for all the trouble/troubles in Hong Kong.


Regards

Holden English

 

[Tdol]

Troubles suggests that there are various problems and difficulties, while trouble suggests it's one thing, though this could be a complex problem with a number of factors.

 

[holdenenglish]

Dear Tdol

Thanks for your reply. A follow-up question. Just wondering if "all the" implies there are many troubles? Like "all the people" sounds better than "all the person". Please advise.

Regards

Holden

 

[Tdol]

No- it can be all of a number or 100% of one. You can say all of a person, meaning that it includes every aspect of their character/being.