Cattle is the collective, plural-only term for domesticated bovine animals used primarily in farming.
30초 단어
- Collective plural noun for cows, bulls, and steers.
- Raised for meat, milk, and leather production.
- Always used with plural verbs and has no singular form.
Overview
Cattle (often misspelled as 'catl') are among the most significant domesticated animals in human history. Belonging to the biological subfamily Bovinae, they are primarily raised as livestock for beef, veal, dairy products, and leather. In many developing regions, they also serve as draft animals for pulling carts or plows. 2) Usage Patterns: The word is a 'plurale tantum,' meaning it exists only in the plural form. It has no singular version; you cannot have 'one cattle.' To refer to a single animal, speakers must use specific terms like 'cow' (female), 'bull' (male), or the count noun 'head of cattle' (e.g., 'twenty head of cattle'). Because it is plural, it always requires a plural verb, such as 'The cattle are grazing.' 3) Common Contexts: This term is ubiquitous in agriculture, economics, and culinary discussions. It is frequently used in phrases like 'cattle ranching,' 'cattle drives,' and 'dairy cattle.' It is a more technical or formal term than 'cows,' which is often used colloquially to refer to the whole species. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'cattle' is the general collective term for the species, 'cows' specifically refers to adult females that have birthed calves. 'Livestock' is a broader category that includes sheep, pigs, and goats. Unlike 'oxen,' which refers to cattle trained as draft animals, 'cattle' covers all domestic bovines regardless of their use. Compared to 'bovine,' which is often used in scientific or medical contexts, 'cattle' is the standard term for everyday farming and trade.
예시
The cattle are grazing peacefully in the meadow.
everydayThe cattle are grazing peacefully in the meadow.
The export of beef cattle has increased by ten percent this year.
formalThe export of beef cattle has increased by ten percent this year.
Watch out, there are some cattle blocking the road up ahead.
informalWatch out, there are some cattle blocking the road up ahead.
Genetic diversity in domestic cattle is essential for long-term food security.
academicGenetic diversity in domestic cattle is essential for long-term food security.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
cattle call
an open audition for many people
head of cattle
individual unit of cattle
자주 혼동되는 단어
'Cow' specifically refers to the female animal, whereas 'cattle' is the gender-neutral plural term for the whole species.
'Livestock' is a broad term for all farm animals (pigs, sheep, etc.), while 'cattle' refers only to bovines.
문법 패턴
How to Use It
사용 참고사항
Cattle is a neutral term used in both formal and informal settings. It is more precise than 'cows' when referring to a mixed-gender group. In technical agricultural writing, it is the preferred term over more colloquial names.
자주 하는 실수
The most common mistake is treating 'cattle' as a singular noun (e.g., saying 'the cattle is'). Another frequent error is trying to pluralize it as 'cattles,' which is incorrect because the word is already plural.
Tips
Use 'head' for specific numbers
When counting these animals, use the term 'head' as a unit of measurement that stays singular even for large numbers.
Avoid 'a cattle'
Never use the indefinite article 'a' with cattle. Use 'a cow' or 'a bull' if you are referring to a single animal.
Sacred status in some cultures
In several cultures, particularly in India, cattle are considered sacred and are protected from slaughter for religious reasons.
어원
Derived from the Old French word 'chatel', which means 'personal property' or 'wealth', originating from the Latin 'caput' (head).
문화적 맥락
In Western history, cattle were central to the 'Wild West' era of cowboys and ranches. In modern times, they are a focal point of debates regarding environmental sustainability and methane production.
암기 팁
Think of the word 'chattel' (meaning property). Historically, cattle were a person's most valuable moving property.
자주 묻는 질문
4 질문It is always plural. You must use plural verbs, such as 'The cattle are' instead of 'The cattle is'.
Since you cannot say 'one cattle,' you should use the phrase 'head of cattle.' For example, 'We bought ten head of cattle.'
Cattle is the general term for the whole group (males and females), while 'cow' technically only refers to the adult female.
No, 'cattle' is already plural. Adding an 's' is grammatically incorrect.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
The farmer decided to sell twenty ___ of cattle at the auction.
In agricultural English, 'head' is the standard unit used to count cattle and remains singular.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
Which of these sentences uses the word correctly?
Cattle is a plural noun and requires the plural verb 'are'.
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence.
grazing / cattle / the / are / peacefully / valley / in / the
This follows the standard Subject + Verb + Adverb + Prepositional Phrase structure.
🎉 점수: /3
Summary
Cattle is the collective, plural-only term for domesticated bovine animals used primarily in farming.
- Collective plural noun for cows, bulls, and steers.
- Raised for meat, milk, and leather production.
- Always used with plural verbs and has no singular form.
Use 'head' for specific numbers
When counting these animals, use the term 'head' as a unit of measurement that stays singular even for large numbers.
Avoid 'a cattle'
Never use the indefinite article 'a' with cattle. Use 'a cow' or 'a bull' if you are referring to a single animal.
Sacred status in some cultures
In several cultures, particularly in India, cattle are considered sacred and are protected from slaughter for religious reasons.
예시
4 / 4The cattle are grazing peacefully in the meadow.
The cattle are grazing peacefully in the meadow.
The export of beef cattle has increased by ten percent this year.
The export of beef cattle has increased by ten percent this year.
Watch out, there are some cattle blocking the road up ahead.
Watch out, there are some cattle blocking the road up ahead.
Genetic diversity in domestic cattle is essential for long-term food security.
Genetic diversity in domestic cattle is essential for long-term food security.
