I have read in grammar books that "fruit" is an uncountable noun but I often see "fruits" as well. What is the difference between them?
fruit or fruits?
I think it's the same as with people and peoples
Fruit can indicate a quantity of more than one fruit, while fruits imply different fruit put together. This is just a hypothesis and most probably they can be used interchangeably.
Fruit can indicate a quantity of more than one fruit, while fruits imply different fruit put together. This is just a hypothesis and most probably they can be used interchangeably.
Examples:
"fruit" :
I ate lots of fruit yesterday.
Much fruit is grown in this valley.
"fruits" :
Lots of fruits are extremely fattening.
Many fruits are difficult to peel.
I think "fruits" normally implies more than one type or species of fruit.
"fruit" :
I ate lots of fruit yesterday.
Much fruit is grown in this valley.
"fruits" :
Lots of fruits are extremely fattening.
Many fruits are difficult to peel.
I think "fruits" normally implies more than one type or species of fruit.
Yes, I think that's right. The same can apply to fish apparently.
The plural of 'fish' is 'fish'.
However if you are talking about different species of fish, you can say 'fishes'.
Funny also how 'species' can be both singular and plural :)
The plural of 'fish' is 'fish'.
However if you are talking about different species of fish, you can say 'fishes'.
Funny also how 'species' can be both singular and plural :)
Besides there are some expressions,e.g. fruits of labour.
Not only 'species' can be both singular and plural - works, means, headquarters, alms, series.
Not only 'species' can be both singular and plural - works, means, headquarters, alms, series.
There must be hundreds or thousands of words in English that don't change between singular and plural. I assume there is an exhaustive list of irregular English plurals soemwhere?