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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

genitals

0Why do we use "genitals" in the plural form?02br
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00Is each part of the external sex organ considered one genital? For example, a testicle is a genital and two would be genitals.02br
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00Thanks in advance!0-
  

Top answer

02br 00Yes and no. Both men and women have genitals (L. 01i 00genitalia02i 00, also plural).

— Mister Micawber

  • 02br 00Yes and no.
  • Both men and women have genitals (L.
  • 01i 00genitalia02i 00, also plural).
  • They are complex organs, partly internal and partly external.
  • Hence, the plural refers to their having several parts.
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10 Answers
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0 .02br
00Yes and no. Both men and women have genitals (L. 01i00genitalia02i00, also plural). They are complex organs, partly internal and partly external. Hence, the plural refers to their having several parts. By usage, however, it is a plural noun referring to the entire apparatus, so one part is not called a 01i00genital02i00-- thi
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0I think the easy way for me to remember is to think of it as scissors. No one part02br
00can function by itself.We don't say a scissor to refer to one of the blades.I hope not.02br
00fingers crossed.0-
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0Your genitals are your private 01b00parts. (not 'part')02b0-
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0I've been using part all the while without realizing it's wrong. It probably sounds like it is dysfunctional to native speakers .0-
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0How often does it come up in casual conversation?? 050010id3
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0You would be surprised 050010id1
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0Hi New2grammar02br
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00Although you've used 'part' all along, don't worry, your parts are still intact. 050010id2
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0Hi.02br
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00Do you really want to mention scissors in this thread?05002br
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00Clive010id6
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0Does it bother you? I guess they should never be anywhere near each other or we might get a murder scene 05000 Is that what bothers you?010id2
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