Power and Powers
Hi teachers,
From Merriam learner's
When Power is countable:
1. It's in your power [= you have the ability ] to change the way things are done here.
Does it mean you use plural in the case of below?
It's in their powers to ......here.
2. She lost the power of speech.
Does it mean "They lost the powers of speech"?
3. Some things are beyond the power of human understanding.
How is "power" in this case countable as stated in the dictionary?
4. He used all his powers of persuasion, but she still would not agree.
Power here is countable. Does that mean it's natural and common to say:
He used his power of persuasion, but ......agree?
Thanks
TN
Top answer
In questions 1, 2, and 3, "power"is used to refer to one thing and is not tied to whether the subject is singular or plural: - #1 - the power (ability) to successfully change process ; - #2 - the power (ability) to speak; - #3 - the power (ability) to understand. In question #4, "powers" is plural because you can persuade someone by various methods. For example, you can persuade someone with your words, voice (soft, demanding), body language (holding her hand, looking in her eyes), and even personal history (a sense of trust).
- In questions 1, 2, and 3, "power"is used to refer to one thing and is not tied to whether the subject is singular or plural: - #1 - the power (ability) to successfully change process ; - #2 - the power (ability) to speak; - #3 - the power (ability) to understand.
- In question #4, "powers" is plural because you can persuade someone by various methods.
- For example, you can persuade someone with your words, voice (soft, demanding), body language (holding her hand, looking in her eyes), and even personal history (a sense of trust).
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
In questions 1, 2, and 3, "power"is used to refer to one thing and is not tied to whether the subject is singular or plural:
- #1 - the power (ability) to successfully change process ;
- #2 - the power (ability) to speak;
- #3 - the power (ability) to understand.
In question #4, "powers" is plural because you can persuade someone by various methods. For example, yo
0tinanam0102It's in their powers to ......here.
It's in their power to be here. (They have transportation so they can get here.) Singular.
tinanam0102Does it mean "They lost the powers of speech"?
No.
They lost the ability to speak. (singular)
People in the late stages of Alzheimer's disea
0
Related Questions