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Candy Posted 21 years ago
This is a quote from an article(BBC online news).
There are a few questions I'd like to ask here regarding the quote.
A:
Why is the word 'rains' used in the sentence?
I think 'rain' is an uncountable noun, but it's sometimes used in plural form like this.
Could you please explain the reason for me?
I've checked 'rain / rains' in dictionaries, but I still don't understand how to use singular/plural form properly......
In which case do you use 'rains'???
B:
'continuing'
There are derivative adjectives "continuous" and "continual."
What's the difference among these three?
I'm very confused.....!!
Is it possible to use these two adjectives instead of "continuing" in the sentence?
If it's not, could you also explain this one for me?
Many many thanks for your great help in advance.
Candy
Grammar
Singular&plural / derivatives
In Sri Lanka - the hardest-hit nation after Indonesia - aid efforts have
been hampered by continuing heavy rains and flash flooding.
This is a quote from an article(BBC online news).
There are a few questions I'd like to ask here regarding the quote.
A:
Why is the word 'rains' used in the sentence?
I think 'rain' is an uncountable noun, but it's sometimes used in plural form like this.
Could you please explain the reason for me?
I've checked 'rain / rains' in dictionaries, but I still don't understand how to use singular/plural form properly......
In which case do you use 'rains'???
B:
'continuing'
There are derivative adjectives "continuous" and "continual."
What's the difference among these three?
I'm very confused.....!!
Is it possible to use these two adjectives instead of "continuing" in the sentence?
If it's not, could you also explain this one for me?
Many many thanks for your great help in advance.
Candy
Top answer
"rains" are individual instances of rain showers or rain storms. It rains. It stops raining.
- "rains" are individual instances of rain showers or rain storms.
- It rains.
- It stops raining.
- ) Then after some time without rain (maybe 10 hours, maybe a day), it rains again.
- It stops raining.
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6 Answers
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"rains" are individual instances of rain showers or rain storms.
It rains. It stops raining. (That's one rain.) Then after some time without rain (maybe 10 hours, maybe a day), it rains again. It stops raining. (That's the second rain.) Then after a time without rain, it rains again. Then it stops. (That's the third rain.) These rains continue to come one after another. During this
It rains. It stops raining. (That's one rain.) Then after some time without rain (maybe 10 hours, maybe a day), it rains again. It stops raining. (That's the second rain.) Then after a time without rain, it rains again. Then it stops. (That's the third rain.) These rains continue to come one after another. During this
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Hello CalfJim,
Many thanks for the reply.
"rains" - Thank you! I understand it, but this kind of thing (how
Many thanks for the reply.
"rains" - Thank you! I understand it, but this kind of thing (how
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In the article, "flooding" is used as a gerund (noun). Since more than one area is flooded, you could substitute "flash floods" but not "flash flood". ("Flood" is a count noun.)
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intermittent, repeated, time: "continual"
the continual banging of the shutters
the continual barking of dogs
the continual rains in the Amazon
the continual flow of traffic
the continual complaints of the employees
the continual questions of young children
unbroken, uninterrupted, time: "continuous", less often "continual"
a continuous vig
the continual banging of the shutters
the continual barking of dogs
the continual rains in the Amazon
the continual flow of traffic
the continual complaints of the employees
the continual questions of young children
unbroken, uninterrupted, time: "continuous", less often "continual"
a continuous vig
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Thank you, Taiwandave
The word "flood" is replaceable in the article, but it should be "floods" because it's a countable no
The word "flood" is replaceable in the article, but it should be "floods" because it's a countable no
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Hello CalfJim,
Thank you very much for explaining the meanings of these words( continual / continuous / continuing) for me.
I really appreciate the list you made!!
Thank you very much for explaining the meanings of these words( continual / continuous / continuing) for me.
I really appreciate the list you made!!
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