复合名词的复数通常是其中的主要字用复数形式，如：
　　fathers-in-law; hangers-on; passers-by; by-standers; solicitors general; attorneys general(or: attorney generals); major generals; Knights Templar.

　　但也有都用复数形式的，如：
　　nanservant, menservants; woman-servant, women-servants

　　以上例子说明，英语的拼写是有一定规律的，只是多加注意，便可以逐渐掌握其规律。但是，任何规律都有其相对的例外，这就需要特别下工夫。
　　有人把这些不规则的内容编了一首打油诗，现转录下来，供参考。

We''ll begin with a box and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox should be oxen not oxes.
Then one fowl is a goose but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of mouse should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a whole set of mice,
But the plural of house is houses not hice,
If the plural of man is always called men,
Shouldn''t the plural o a pan be called pen?
If I speak of a foot and you show me your feet,
And I give you a boot would a pare be called beet?
If one is a tooth and whole set are teeth,
Why should not the plural of booth be called beeth?
Then one may be that and three would be those,
Yet hat in that plural wouldn''t be hose.
And the plural of cat is cats and not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say Mother we never say Methren,
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his, and him,
But imagine the feminine, she, shis, and shim.
So English I fancy, you all will agree,
Is the funniest language you ever did see.

 (2)、正确使用大写（Capital Letter）

　　一般在每一句，每一个直接引语，每一行诗的第一个字要大写，人的称呼或头衔，书名等要大写，专有名词要大写，月名，星期几要大写，代词Ｉ要大写。这是使用英语必须具备的起码的知识。因此，大写使用的正确与否，也是英语水平问题。

　　除了上述一般大写规律以外，在商业书信英语中的大写，还有其本身的特点，现说明于下：

（Ａ）North, South, East, West

　　这四个字作为一般方向用时小写，　但是当它们作为一个地理概念表示北方地区，南方地区，东方地区，西方地区，或专有的地名联用时，就必须大写。

例：Cotton is the principal crop in the South; it is also grown extensively in the Southwest and in the Sou thern California
　　(棉花是南部各州的重要作物，西南各州和加利福尼亚南部也广泛种植。)

（Ｂ）商品名称

　　从语法上讲，一般的商品名称（非专有名词）没有必要大写。在商业书信中为了强调（）或要促使对方注意，商品名称常常大写。

例：We have seen your advertisement in the "Textile World" and should be glad if you would send us patterns of Ladies'' Woolens with your best terms.
　　(我们看到你们在"织物界"杂志上的广告，请寄妇女用毛织物样本并告最优惠的价格条件。)

（Ｃ）文件名称
例：we have quoted our best terms on the enclosed Price List.
　　（我们已随函寄送价目表报最优惠价格条件。）

( D ) 公司，团体，城市名称省略时大写
例：The Company will pay you $100 annuity.
　　该公司将付给你年金100美圆。

（Ｅ）职务名称
例：There is enclosed a letter from Mr. H.A.Anderson, President, National City Bank of New York.
　　(同函俯上花旗银行行长安得逊先生所写书信一封。)

（Ｆ）船名
例：We have shipped the goods by the m.v."London Maru" of OSK.
　　（货已由大阪轮船公司的“伦敦丸”轮装运。）

上一页  [1] [2] [3]