一、表示江河湖海等的“水域”“水體”時(shí),習(xí)慣上要用復(fù)數(shù).如：
They will cross the waters tomorrow.他們明天要渡海.
The waters of the lake flow out over a large waterfall.這個(gè)湖的水流出后形成一個(gè)大瀑布.
This is where the waters of Amazon flow out into the sea.這就是亞馬孫河入海的地方.
二、表示某國的“近�！薄昂Ｓ颉薄邦I(lǐng)�！睍r(shí),習(xí)慣上要用復(fù)數(shù).如：
British territorial waters 英國的海域
British waters were a “military area”.英國領(lǐng)海是“軍事區(qū)”.
The number of fish in coastal waters has decreased.沿海魚的數(shù)量已減少了.
The ship successfully underwent sea trials in coastal waters.那條船在近海水域試航成功.
三、表示“礦泉水”“泉水”“噴泉水花”時(shí),習(xí)慣上要用復(fù)數(shù).如：
We drink table waters.我們喝瓶裝礦泉水.
A great poem is a fountain forever overflowing with the waters of wisdom and delight.一首偉大的詩篇猶如一座噴泉,永遠(yuǎn)噴出智慧和歡樂的水花.
注：take [drink] the waters 為習(xí)語,指喝礦泉水治療或到礦泉?jiǎng)俚丿燄B(yǎng).如：
He went abroad to drink the waters 他出國去進(jìn)行礦泉治療.
He is taking [drinking] the waters at Bath.他在巴斯進(jìn)行礦泉治療.
四、表示“洪水”等大量的水時(shí),習(xí)慣上要用復(fù)數(shù).如：
The flood waters are going down.洪水漸退.
The dam was not strong enough to hold back the flood waters.水壩不太堅(jiān)固,擋不住洪水.
五、表示幾條不同河流或海域的水,習(xí)慣上要用復(fù)數(shù).如：
The waters of the two rivers mingled (together) to form one river.兩條河匯合成一條.
六、在某些固定表達(dá)中,習(xí)慣上用復(fù)數(shù).如：
in smooth water(s) 進(jìn)展順利,一帆風(fēng)順
pour oil on troubled waters平息風(fēng)波,作和事佬,調(diào)停爭端
fish in muddy waters 趁火打劫,混水摸魚
fish in troubled waters 混水摸魚