■ damage

1) 作“损害”解的名词，是不可数的，只能是单数，不加冠词或加定冠词 the，但不能加不定冠词 a，所以不能说 *The typhoon caused an expensive damage to the city. 台风给该城市造成了重大的损失（应该把 an 去掉）。

• The earthquake caused damage estimated at 300 million dollars.地震造成的损失估计为三亿美元。
• An autopsy showed the damage done to the liver.尸检显示了肝脏受到的损害。
• Many professional boxers end their careers with brain damage.许多职业拳击手退出拳坛时都带有脑部损伤。

2) 复数形式 damages，也是不可数的，但采取复数形式，意思是“赔偿”。

• They were seeking damages stemming from anticompetitive practices.他们在争取因妨碍竞争的做法而应提供的赔偿。
• He was acquitted in court and damages were awarded.他在法庭上被宣告无罪，而且获得了赔偿。

但是 damage 可以用单数形式作为表示“赔偿”的定语。

• their damage suits他们要求赔偿的官司。

由于作“赔偿”解的 damages 虽然复数但不可数，所以它是作为一个内部不分个体的量出现的，因此它前面更多用 much 而少用 many。

• How much damages could I ask for if I sue my landlord for not giving me my security deposit back?如果我控告房东不归还我的押金，我能够要求多大数额的赔偿？
• The two states have been arguing their respective cases regarding how much damages Kansas is entitled to from Colorado ever since. (Colorado Attorney General John W. Suthers website, June 11, 2001)有关堪萨斯州从那时起应从科罗拉多州取得多大数额的赔偿，两个州一直在申述各自的理由。

如果 damages 前面用 many 而不用 much，则意义通常是“各种损害”而不是“赔偿”。

• The falling of trees caused many damages in the electric system.树木的倒下，给供电系统造成了多方面的损失。
• There are many damages to a woman after an abortion.妇女堕胎后会受到多种损害。