fire 的用法与可数性

fire 的用法与可数性

1. 泛指一般意义的“火”，是不可数名词。如：

Paper catches fire easily. 纸很容易着火。

The house was completely destroyed by fire. 房子被大火全毁了。

比较以下各句:

The house was on fire. 房子着火了。

The house took [caught] fire. 房子着火了。

He set fire to the house. =He set the house on fire. 他放火烧了房子。

2. 表示具体意义的“火灾”或“炉火”等，是可数名词。如：

A fire took place in that street. 那条街发生了火灾。

There were several fires in this city last month. 上个月这个城市发生了好几起火灾。

It’s too cold, and I’ll make [build, light] a fire in theroom. 我要屋里生个火。

【注】即使表示“火灾”，若不是指具体的一起一起的“火灾”，而是指意义较为抽象的“火灾”，它也通常是不可数名词。如：

Look out for fire. 小心火灾。

In case of fire ring the bell. 万一发生火灾，请按铃。

3. 香烟、火柴、打火机等的“火”，在英语中不能用 fire 来表示，而用 light。如：

Can you give me a light, please? 劳驾，能借个火吗?