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The English word "foot" has more than one meaning.
英语单词foot有多种含义。
In the United States, one meaning is a unit of measurement equal to 12 inches, or 0.3 meters.
在美国，它的含义之一是作为测量单位，1英尺相当于12英寸或0.3米。
We use feet to measure height, length and short distances.
我们使用英尺（feet）来测量高度、长度以及较短的距离。
Today's question is about when to use the plural or singular form. It comes from Weifeng of China.
今天的问题是什么时候使用单数，什么时候使用复数。这个问题来自中国的Weifeng。
I am often confused with the choice between "foot" and "feet."
我经常对选择用foot还是feet感到困惑。
How do I choose the right word in a particular situation?
如何在特定情况下选择正确的单词呢？
Hello, Weifeng, that is a great question!
你好，Weifeng，这个问题问得很好。
For the unit of measurement, we often use the singular form even when we are talking about more than one foot. This can make things confusing for learners.
对于这个测量单位，我们甚至在提到大于一英尺的事物时也经常使用foot这个单数形式，这会让学习者感到困惑。
Luckily, there are three easy rules that can help:
幸运的是，有3条简单的规则可以对你有所帮助：
1. When used as an adjective, we use "foot," which is the singular form. Let's hear some examples:
第1条： 当用作形容词时，我们使用foot这个单数形式。我们来听一些例子：
The children climbed a 15-foot tree.
这个孩子爬上了一棵15英尺高的大树。
Here, the adjective is "15-foot" and it describes the noun "tree."
在这里，“有15英尺高的”是形容词，描述了大树这个名词。
Here's another: I have a 10-foot ladder that you can borrow.
以下是另一个例子：我可以借你一架有10英尺高的梯子。
Here, the adjective "10-foot" describes the noun "ladder."
在这里，“有10英尺高的”这个形容词描述了梯子这个名词。
Notice that both 15-foot and 10-foot come before the noun and there is a hyphen between the words.
请注意“有15英尺高的”和“有10英尺高的”都放在名词前，并且单词之间有连字符。
A hyphen is needed when a unit of measurement acts as an adjective.
当度量单位作为形容词时，要加连字符。
2. When used as a noun, we use the plural form: feet.
第2条：当用作名词时我们就使用复数形式feet。
Take a listen: The tree is 15 feet high.
请听：这棵树高15英尺。
Here, the noun is "15 feet" and the adjective is "high."
在这里，15英尺是名词，形容词是高。
The ladder is 10 feet tall.
这个梯子高10英尺。
Here, the noun is "10 feet" and the adjective is "tall."
在这里，10英尺是名词，形容词是高。
Notice that the noun form does not use a hyphen.
请注意这种名词形式不加连字符。
These two rules also apply to many other units of measurement.
这两条规则也适用于其它许多测量单位。
3. Lastly, we usually use the singular form when talking about a person's height.
第三条： 最后，我们在谈到某个人的身高时通常使用单数形式。
This is an exception to the plural noun rule in number2.
这是第2条规则的一个例外情况。
Here's an example: I am 5-foot-6.
看下面这个例子：我身高5英尺（foot）6英寸。
This is a common way of saying, "I am 5 feet 6 inches tall."
它是“I am 5 feet 6 inches tall”的常用说法。
However, when the person's height is an exact number of feet --without inches -- we use the plural form.
然而，当人的身高是整英尺不带英寸时，我们使用复数形式。
I am 5 feet.
我身高5英尺。
He is 6 feet tall.
他身高6英尺。
The addition of "tall" is not required in everyday conversation.
在日常对话中通常不用tall这个附加词。
For all other meanings of "foot," we use "foot" for the singular form and "feet" for the plural.
对于foot的其它含义，单数形式用foot，复数形式就用feet。
And that's Ask a Teacher.
以上就是本期名师答疑的全部内容。
I'm Alice Bryant.
我是爱丽丝·布莱恩特。
