Hi, it is really tricky.
Dollar:
Duden gives as plural “Dollars” Dollar
However, I think there are two forms of plural.
I agree to Bernd in #2
I want to add:
This means, we have two plural forms with different usage.
“Dollar” itself may be used as plural, example: “I have American dollars in my pocket.”
I added an adjective, that shows clearly the plural form.
Singular is “I have a dollar in my pocket”.
Similar is Euro. However, I prefer the plural “Euros” in “I have a lot of euros in my pocket” if I mean many of them – it is informal context. But: “I have 100 euros in my pocket.” There is a nonstandard form, jokingly: “Ich habe hundert Euronen.” Maybe you hear this, but never use it in formal writing.
Pounds: with numbers: 100 pounds
but “I have a lot of pounds/pounds/pounds in my pocket” – all sound wrong to me, the last two awkward. I would say: “I have a lot of pounds in my pocket.” (informal.)
“I have £100 in my pocket.” This is ok. Never with “s”.
Schilling:
I have a lot of old-time shillings.
I have 100 shillings (amount). I have 100 shillings (mostly it means amount of coins).
Zloty
I have a lot of zloty/I have a lot of zloty.
I have 100 zlotys/ (seldom: I have a hundred zlotys.)
Maybe I missed something but this is my usage.
Note that counting numbers mostly require the forms Euro, Pfund, Dollar etc.
**Given the variations in accepted plural forms, what strategies can language learners employ to ensure accurate communication when discussing currencies?** (This question connects to the “Formal vs. Informal Usage” and “Multiple Plurals and Context” themes and addresses a practical concern for language learners.)
## Interview: The Curious Case of Currency Plurals
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News! Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of currency plurals. This seemingly simple topic can surprisingly spark debates and confusion.
We’re joined by two distinguished linguists, Professor Anya Petrova, specializing in English grammar, and Dr. Liam O’Connell, focusing on the evolution and usage of currencies across languages.
Welcome to both of you!
**(Both guests express their gratitude.)**
**Host:** Let’s begin with the basics. Anya, you wrote an insightful piece on your blog about the different plural forms of currencies like the dollar and the euro. Could you elaborate on your findings for our listeners?
**Anya:** Certainly! My research highlighted the intriguing phenomenon of currencies having sometimes multiple accepted plural forms, depending on context and speaker preference. Take the dollar, for instance. While “dollars” is the standard plural, some people, particularly in informal settings, feel comfortable using simply “dollar” as a plural as well.
**Host:** That’s a fascinating observation. Liam, from your perspective, how significant is this variation in plural forms across languages when dealing with currencies? Does it pose any communication challenges?
**Liam:** It’s quite significant, especially considering the global nature of finance and commerce. While English sees limited variation (think dollars vs. dollar), other languages exhibit more extensive divergence. For example, in Polish, the plural of “złoty” can be “złote” or “złotych,” depending on grammatical context.
Such variations can indeed lead to confusion if not approached with cultural and linguistic sensitivity.
**(Theme 1: Multiple Plurals and Context)**
**Host:** Anya, your article mentioned the use of adjectives to clarify the plural form. Could you provide some more examples and explain how this strategy works?
**Anya:** Absolutely. Using凝聚descriptive adjectives can help disambiguate the intended meaning. Let’s say you have “American dollars” – immediately, the listener understands you are talking about multiple units of US currency.
**Host:** Liam, how common are such linguistic strategies across different languages when dealing with plural forms of currencies?
**Liam:** While English relies heavily on adjectives, other languages might employ different grammatical tools like suffixes or even word order changes to denote plurality.
**(Theme 2: Culture and Language)**
**Host:** Anya, your research explored the use of the singular “dollar” in specific contexts. Can you elaborate on when this form might be more appropriate?
**Anya:** It tends to occur when referring to a large, unspecified amount. Imagine saying “I saved up a lot of dollar over the years.” Here, ”dollar” emphasizes the accumulation rather than focusing on individual units.
**Host:** Liam, does this use of singular forms in informal contexts extend to other currencies as well?
**Liam**: To some extent, yes. However, the grammatical rules and social norms surrounding such usage can vary drastically across languages.
**(Theme 3: Formal vs. Informal Usage)**
**Host:** This has been a truly insightful discussion. Anya, Liam, thank you both for shedding light on this often overlooked aspect of finance and language.
**(Both guests express their thanks and reiterate the importance of being mindful of linguistic nuances when dealing with currencies.)**
**Host:** For our listeners, we hope this interview has provided a deeper understanding of the complexities and curiosities surrounding currency plurals.
