"Experience" and "experiences"

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Rachel Adams

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Hello.

How does the meaning of "experience" change in plural? OAD gives only one example with "experiences" but the meaning is still the same. "Share your experiences."
 
"Share your experiences" would suggest that the speaker was aware that the listener had mentioned several events previously mentioned.
 
Just take the literal meaning of the two sentences:

- "Share your experience" asks you to talk about one experience.

- "Share your experiences" asks you to talk about more than one.
 
Just take the literal meaning of the two sentences:

- "Share your experience" asks you to talk about one experience.

- "Share your experiences" asks you to talk about more than one.

Then the meaning doesn't change. Why did they write it?! This word is given together with other English words that change their meaning. They are listed in the book I mentioned in one of my previous threads.
The word "advice" isn't mentioned at all. One of my textbooks says it changes its meaning in plural. "Advices" means "information". There is another word "force". Its plural form means "army". Maybe the rules of this old book have become old-fashioned?
 
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Then the meaning doesn't change. Why did they write it?

I don't know.

It might be because experience (singular) has more than one meaning:

- You might visit Peru and have several memorable (and countable) experiences.

- But when you apply for a job, the boss wants to know what experience (not countable) you have.


This word is given together with other English words that change their meaning. They are listed in the book I mentioned in one of my previous threads.
The word "advice" isn't mentioned at all.

I wouldn't mention it, either. I've never heard or seen it pluralized. It's not countable.


One of my textbooks says it changes its meaning in plural. "Advices" means "information".

That makes no sense.


There is another word, "force". Its plural form means "army".

Sort of. Sometimes. Not exactly.


Maybe the rules of this old book have become old-fashioned.
No. It's just not a very accurate book.
 
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