a wind vs the wind vs winds

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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hardworker
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a wind vs the wind vs winds

Post by hardworker »

I am not sure when to use the singular and plural forms of the noun, wind, as in the examples below.

(1) a strong wind or strong winds
(2) a heavy wind or heavy winds
(3) a hard wind or hard winds

I live in an apartment. Sometimes, I hear my neighbors say, "A wind is .. or The wind is ....", as in the examples below.

(4) A wind (or The wind) is blowing strongly.
(5) A wind (or The wind) is blowing heavily.
(6) A wind (or The wind) is blowing hard.

I am very confused about when to use the singular/plural forms and the definite/indefinite articles in the examples above.
Please explain my question. Thank you very much for your help.
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Alan
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Re: a wind vs the wind vs winds

Post by Alan »

There is nothing grammatically special about the noun 'wind':(re. 1-3) it is countable, and therefore can be pluralized according to the normal rules; (re.4-6) in common with many nominally 'unique' geophysical entities (including also 'sun, moon, sky') the use of the definite, rather than indefinite, article, is likely to predominate.

Please consult the ESL Learning Centre for further general information.
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