water复数

一、表示江河湖海等的“水域”“水体”时,习惯上要用复数.如：
They will cross the waters tomorrow.他们明天要渡海.
The waters of the lake flow out over a large waterfall.这个湖的水流出后形成一个大瀑布.
This is where the waters of Amazon flow out into the sea.这就是亚马孙河入海的地方.
二、表示某国的“近海”“海域”“领海”时,习惯上要用复数.如：
British territorial waters 英国的海域
British waters were a “military area”.英国领海是“军事区”.
The number of fish in coastal waters has decreased.沿海鱼的数量已减少了.
The ship successfully underwent sea trials in coastal waters.那条船在近海水域试航成功.
三、表示“矿泉水”“泉水”“喷泉水花”时,习惯上要用复数.如：
We drink table waters.我们喝瓶装矿泉水.
A great poem is a fountain forever overflowing with the waters of wisdom and delight.一首伟大的诗篇犹如一座喷泉,永远喷出智慧和欢乐的水花.
注：take [drink] the waters 为习语,指喝矿泉水治疗或到矿泉胜地疗养.如：
He went abroad to drink the waters 他出国去进行矿泉治疗.
He is taking [drinking] the waters at Bath.他在巴斯进行矿泉治疗.
四、表示“洪水”等大量的水时,习惯上要用复数.如：
The flood waters are going down.洪水渐退.
The dam was not strong enough to hold back the flood waters.水坝不太坚固,挡不住洪水.
五、表示几条不同河流或海域的水,习惯上要用复数.如：
The waters of the two rivers mingled (together) to form one river.两条河汇合成一条.
六、在某些固定表达中,习惯上用复数.如：
in smooth water(s) 进展顺利,一帆风顺
pour oil on troubled waters平息风波,作和事佬,调停争端
fish in muddy waters 趁火打劫,混水摸鱼
fish in troubled waters 混水摸鱼