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What is the difference between sky and skies?

Published in Grammar & Usage 1 min read

The primary difference between "sky" and "skies" is that "sky" is singular, while "skies" is plural.

Here's a breakdown:

Term Definition Usage Example
sky The atmosphere as seen from the Earth. "The sky is blue today."
skies The plural of sky, often used to describe different appearances of the sky at different times or places. "Expect partly cloudy skies tomorrow."

How "Skies" is Used

The plural form, "skies," is commonly used in specific contexts:

  • Weather Forecasts: Weather reports often use "skies" to describe the appearance of the sky at different times. For example, "Expect partly cloudy skies tomorrow."

  • Metaphorically: "Skies" can also be used metaphorically to represent a change or variety of circumstances. For example, "Grey skies are going to clear up, so put on a happy face." This indicates a shift from negative to positive conditions.

In summary, while sky refers to the general expanse above us, skies is used to indicate multiple instances or variations of the sky's appearance.

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