"scale" or "scales"?

Forums: English, Esl, Grammar, English As A Second Language
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Hi there,
I'm an English learner.
I have a question which one to use "scale" or "scales" to weigh the body.
My husband who is australian he said me use "scales" but he couldn't explain well. I checked my japanese-english dictionary. It says that both.
I'm confused & if someone exlain for me to understand.
Many thanks.

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Type: Question • Score: 6 • Views: 3,943 • Replies: 21

[+4] - contrex - 01/10/2015[quote="somewhatsolved"]English grammer stinks. [/quote] So does your spelling.

First, you would say ". . . he said to me . . ."

Either one can be used to mean a device for weighing something. It is really an arcane usage, meaning one learns which is preferred on a case by case basis. Off hand, i think scales is probably used more often, but that's just a guess.

2 Replies

@Setanta,

It might have to do with the implement being used.

This, I would call scales (plural):

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/balance-weight-scale1.jpg

This, I would call a scale (singular):

http://healthsciencedegree.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/bmi-bathroom-scale.jpg

0 Replies

@mihocomo,

English grammer stinks.

My question is which version of English are you trying to learn?

Australian English is more relaxed and ussually people won't care in common talking.

While alternativly British English is supper strick on every noun and its usage.

Americans vary, if they complain just tell them thats how you were taught.

The proper usage actually depends on how your using it. Example: 1) The scale is over there. 2) Yes, I have the scales.

Example one is meant for 1 scale. While Example 2 is meant for multiple or complex scales.

Reply if you need more information.

Try a translator to read this if you have trouble. The grammer of English goes subject to predicet compared to Japanese where (if I'm not mistaken) it goes predicet to subject.

please reply.

1 Reply

@somewhatsolved,

somewhatsolved wrote:

English grammer stinks.

So does your spelling.

1 Reply

The answer is that in British/Australian/New Zealand/Commonwealth English, the plural form "scales" is usually used, and you can say "a bathroom scales", while in North American English the singular "scale" is more common. Neither is wrong and both are right.

Plenty of dictionaries support this

e.g. Oxford:

scales [plural] (North American English also scale)

an instrument for weighing people or thingsbathroom/kitchen/weighing

scales (figurative) the scales of justice(= represented as the two pans on a balance (5) )

A bathroom scales (or "set of scales") is still a balance, but the beam and the other weight (in fact a spring) are hidden inside.

0 Replies

@contrex,

I'm on my phone. Rolling Eyes

I don't know why it keeps misspelling Predicate. out of my control.

0 Replies

I hope the scales soon fall from your eyes.

Jespah (above) has got it. But we (in NW England) still refer to bathroom scales, although we possess only one.
I consider the terms to be interchangeable in meaning, but personally would always use the plural.

2 Replies

@McTag,

McTag wrote:

I hope the scales soon fall from your eyes.

Jespah (above) has got it. But we (in NW England) still refer to bathroom scales, although we possess only one.
I consider the terms to be interchangeable in meaning, but personally would always use the plural.

"A bathroom scales" is perfectly good British English, all over the UK.

Quote:

www.shutterstock.com/.../stock-photo-a-picture-of-female-fe...
Shutterstock
Download royalty free A picture of female feet standing on a bathroom scales and a tape measure over white background stock photo from Shutterstock's library

Quote:

1965 Slumber Party Barbie came with scales set to 110lbs ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../1965-Slumber-Party-Barbie-came-sca...
Daily Mail
Nov 29, 2012 - Slumber Party 1965 came with a bathroom scales set to a slender 110lbs, a 'don't eat' diet book and pink silk pyjamas.

Quote:

Customer Reviews: Beurer Body Analysis Bathroom Scale
www.amazon.com/Beurer-Body.../B0056G26BE
Amazon.com, Inc.
But to be fair it's not really intended as a bathroom scales. (I have a much more accurate and reliable set of bathroom scales).

Quote:

Towball Weight Too Heavy ???? - Our Setup - Australia4WD Forum
forum.australia4wd.com › ... › Camper Trailers and Caravans › Our Setup
Feb 19, 2010 - 8 posts - ‎6 authors
The way I calculated my towball weight was using a bathroom scales. I placed bricks under the hitch until it was a a level such that I could place ...

Quote:

i puchased a bathroom scales item number 280934589 ...
community.ebay.co.uk/t5/.../i...a-bathroom-scales.../1091403
eBay
i puchased a bathroom scales item number 280934589032 on 30/8/12 it stopped working after 4 months so i sent two messages no reply!

Quote:

Hanson H61 Mechanical Bathroom Scale with Magnified ...
www.amazon.co.uk › ... › Mechanical
Amazon.com, Inc.
Rating: 3.4 - ‎10 reviews
I needed a bathroom scales and this has fitted the bill. In the future my weight loss will be accurately measured to the last pound. Comment Was this review ...

0 Replies

@McTag,

Yep, in the South as well.

Scales.

1 Reply

@Lordyaswas,

And the Deep South.

1 Reply

@izzythepush,

izzythepush wrote:

And the Deep South.

You live in Bognor?

1 Reply

@contrex,

Bugger Bognor.

2 Replies

@Lordyaswas,

And Butlins.

0 Replies

@Lordyaswas,

Lordyaswas wrote:

Bugger Bognor.

When my little sister was just born, my auntie used to take some of the childcare burden off my mum by taking me places (I was 3) and I vividly remember the time we went to Bognor. It rained the whole time, and it also pissed down when she decided to try Clacton a couple of weeks later.

1 Reply

@contrex,

That's what comes with visiting the coast between August 3rd and July 20th.

0 Replies

@mihocomo,

Quote:

I have a question which one to use "scale" or "scales" to weigh the body.
My husband who is australian he said me use "scales" but he couldn't explain well. I checked my japanese-english dictionary. It says that both.
I'm confused & if someone exlain for me to understand.

So as you see, "scales" is quite common although it's the old-fashioned term.

There are many other examples of this in English usage.
For example, we still "set sail" or "go for a sail" although no actual sails are involved. On a steamer, perhaps. (no steam).
Or we "hang up" on the telephone. It's a very long time since a telephone receiver had to be hung on a hook.

1 Reply

@McTag,

McTag wrote:

So as you see, "scales" is quite common although it's the old-fashioned term.

'Scales' is not old-fashioned, it's current English, dominant in British English. The point is, they use 'scale', also current English, more in North America.

1 Reply

@contrex,

Okay maybe I should have said "original" term instead of old-fashioned.
That was the meaning I conveyed anyway.

0 Replies

@Setanta,

Hi Setanta,
Thank you for your rely & correcting my english.😊
Sorry for the late reply.
I see. It's case by case.
Scales is more often to be used! I didn't think of that. But I know now.
And If I'm talking about ONE scales, the substantive verb should be "be" ? And TWO scales "are"?

Ex. One scales is broken. Two scales are new.

Many Thanks!

1 Reply

"scale" or "scales"?

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