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Jeff_999 Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Depths

It seems 'depths' is often used, like this one,
'Because organic material decays slowly in peat, the remains of prehistoric animals are often found in the depths of peat hogs. '

So, under what kind of situation, we have to use depths instead of depth?
  

Top answer

, when it means "the deep part s " or "the deepest part s " of something. Sometimes it doesn't make much difference whether you use the singular or the plural: "the depth(s) of winter", "the depth(s) of despair". Used alone, "the depths" means the deepest places in the ocean.

— CalifJim

  • , when it means "the deep part s " or "the deepest part s " of something.
  • Sometimes it doesn't make much difference whether you use the singular or the plural: "the depth(s) of winter", "the depth(s) of despair".
  • Used alone, "the depths" means the deepest places in the ocean.
  • )
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3 Answers
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Use "depths" when you want to emphasize plurality, i.e., when it means "the deep parts" or "the deepest parts" of something. Sometimes it doesn't make much difference whether you use the singular or the plural: "the depth(s) of winter", "the depth(s) of despair". Used alone, "the depths" means the deepest places in the ocean.

(I think that's "peat bogs", by the way!)
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Yes, that's 'peat bogs'. Thank you CJ. I just didn't know 'depth' did have its plural form. Now it's clear.
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Could you tell me the difference bwtween these:

-They dug down to a depth of two metres.

and

-Many dolphins can dive to depths of 200 metres.

How should we decide whether to use the singular or plural form?
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