【问】 Yesterday afternoon Frank Hawkins was telling me about his experiences as a young man.

(New Concept English，Book 2，L. 31)

据我所知，experience是不可数名词，为什么这里用其复数形式?

【答】 当experience作“经验”(由实践得来的知识或技能)解时，通常用作不可数名词(没有复数形式，也不能与不定冠词连用)。例如：

1. Experience is the mother of wisdom. (Prov)

经验是智慧之母。

2. Have you had much experience in teaching English? (ALD)

你对教英语很有经验吗?

当experience作“经历”(亲身见过、做过或遭受过的事)解，是个可数名词，有复数形式，亦可与不定冠词连用。

1. I had rather an odd experience the other day.(Maughham)

前几天我有一个很奇怪的经历(前几天我遇到一个很奇怪的事情)。

2. I’ve had some very disturbing experiences. (Wells)

我遇到过一些令人烦恼的事。

3. To compensate for his unpleasant experiences in hospital，the man drank a little morethan was good for him.(NCE 3，L.29)

为了补偿他在住院期间不愉快的经历，他多喝了点酒。