이 페이지를 내 언어로

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 Noun (plural) #39 가장 일반적인 14분 분량

skies

상위 39

At the A1 level, you learn basic words to describe the world. 'Skies' is the plural of 'sky.' We use 'sky' for the big blue space above us. We use 'skies' when we talk about the weather. For example, 'The skies are blue' means it is a sunny day. You might hear 'sunny skies' or 'cloudy skies.' It is important to remember that 'skies' is plural, so we use 'are' or 'were.' You don't need to use 'skies' often at this level, but you will see it in simple weather reports. Just think of it as a way to describe if the day is pretty or rainy. If you see 'skies,' look for the word before it, like 'blue' or 'gray,' to understand the weather. It is a simple word for a big thing!

At the A2 level, you start to use more adjectives to describe things. 'Skies' is very useful for talking about your holidays or the place where you live. Instead of just saying 'The weather was good,' you can say 'We had clear skies all week.' This sounds more natural. You will also see 'skies' in travel advertisements. They might say 'Come to Spain for the sunny skies!' Remember that 'skies' is plural. So, you say 'The skies are beautiful' and not 'The skies is beautiful.' You can also use it to describe different times of the day, like 'night skies' when you see the stars. It helps you give more detail in your speaking and writing about nature and the environment.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use a wider range of vocabulary to express yourself. 'Skies' is a perfect word for this because it adds a descriptive quality to your sentences. You can use it to set the scene in a story or to describe a specific atmosphere. For example, 'Under the threatening skies, the hikers decided to turn back.' Here, 'skies' helps create a mood of danger or worry. You should also be familiar with common phrases like 'the skies opened up,' which means it started raining very hard. At this level, you should be comfortable using 'skies' with various adjectives like 'overcast,' 'starry,' or 'azure.' It shows that you can distinguish between the general concept of the sky and the specific appearance of the atmosphere in a particular context.

At the B2 level, you should understand the stylistic and idiomatic uses of 'skies.' It is often used in more formal or literary contexts to convey vastness or a sense of place. For instance, you might read about 'the wide-open skies of the American West.' This usage emphasizes the scale of the landscape. You should also be aware of metaphorical uses, such as 'praising someone to the skies,' which means to compliment them very highly. In business or academic contexts, 'skies' might appear in discussions about aviation or environmental policy (e.g., 'open skies agreements'). Your ability to use 'skies' correctly with plural verbs and in idiomatic expressions will demonstrate a higher level of fluency and a better grasp of English nuances.

At the C1 level, you can appreciate the subtle differences between 'skies,' 'the heavens,' and 'the atmosphere.' You use 'skies' to evoke specific imagery or to adhere to certain registers. In creative writing, you might use 'skies' to reflect the internal state of a character or to create a complex setting. You are also expected to handle subject-verb agreement perfectly, even in complex sentences where 'skies' is separated from its verb by several words. You should be familiar with the historical and literary weight the word can carry, especially in poetry. Furthermore, you can use 'skies' in professional contexts, such as discussing 'congested skies' in a report on urban planning or aviation, showing that you can adapt the word to technical and specialized fields.

At the C2 level, your use of 'skies' is sophisticated and nuanced. You understand its role in creating rhythm and tone in high-level prose and poetry. You can use it to make subtle distinctions in meaning, perhaps choosing 'skies' over 'sky' to imply a series of changing conditions or a vast, multi-faceted perspective. You are fully aware of its idiomatic range and can use phrases like 'blue-sky thinking' (creative ideas without limits) or 'the skies are darkening' (a metaphor for a worsening situation) with ease. Your mastery of the word includes an understanding of its etymological roots and its evolution in English literature. At this level, 'skies' is not just a plural noun but a versatile tool for precise, evocative, and culturally resonant communication.

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

skies 30초 만에

'Skies' is the plural of 'sky,' used to describe the atmosphere's appearance in specific places or weather conditions, often requiring plural verbs.
It is commonly found in weather reports, travel descriptions, and literature to evoke a sense of vastness or to specify meteorological states.
Common collocations include 'sunny skies,' 'clear skies,' and 'gray skies,' while idioms like 'praise to the skies' show its metaphorical range.
Learners should ensure subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the skies are') and avoid confusing it with the possessive 'sky's' or using it for general scientific facts.

The word skies is the plural form of the noun 'sky,' but its usage goes far beyond simply indicating more than one heaven. In English, we use the plural form to describe the atmosphere or the appearance of the heavens in a specific geographic location, under particular weather conditions, or to evoke a sense of vastness and poetic beauty. While 'sky' refers to the general concept of the space above the earth, 'skies' often refers to the character of that space at a given moment or in a specific region. For instance, one might talk about the 'sunny skies of Italy' or the 'gray skies of London.' This distinction is crucial for learners because it shifts the focus from a singular entity to a descriptive state of being. The plural form is frequently employed in meteorological contexts, literature, and travel writing to paint a more vivid picture of the environment. It suggests a duration of time or a breadth of space that the singular form sometimes lacks. When you use 'skies,' you are often commenting on the weather patterns or the visual quality of the horizon over a period of time. It is a word that carries weight in both scientific observation and artistic expression, allowing the speaker to convey nuances of mood and atmosphere that are essential for intermediate and advanced communication.

Geographic Specification: Used to describe the sky as it appears in a particular country or region, such as 'tropical skies' or 'northern skies.'

The travelers were greeted by the clear, blue skies of the Mediterranean, a sharp contrast to the gloom they left behind.

Weather Conditions: Refers to the state of the atmosphere regarding clouds, sun, or rain, often used in phrases like 'stormy skies' or 'overcast skies.'

Dark, threatening skies loomed over the valley, signaling the approach of a summer thunderstorm.

Furthermore, 'skies' is used in several idiomatic expressions and metaphorical contexts. To 'praise someone to the skies' means to give them enthusiastic and extensive praise. The phrase 'blue skies' is often used metaphorically in business and planning to refer to a future that is positive and free of problems. In these instances, the plural form emphasizes the limitlessness or the overarching nature of the sentiment. Understanding the plural 'skies' requires recognizing that it is not just a count of multiple heavens, but a stylistic choice that adds depth to descriptions of the world around us. It is common in poetry where the rhythm of the plural 's' sound helps create a sense of flow and expanse. In everyday English, you will hear it most often in weather forecasts, where meteorologists predict 'clear skies' for the weekend. This usage is so standard that using the singular 'clear sky' in a forecast would actually sound slightly unnatural to a native speaker's ear. Therefore, mastering 'skies' involves learning these specific collocations and contexts where the plural form is the idiomatic standard.

Metaphorical Vastness: Conveys a sense of infinite space or opportunity, as seen in the expression 'the limit is the skies' (though 'the sky is the limit' is more common, 'skies' appears in variations).

Under the vast skies of the open prairie, one feels both small and profoundly connected to nature.

The artist spent years trying to capture the ever-changing skies of the coast in his oil paintings.

They looked up at the star-filled skies and wondered about the existence of other worlds.

Using 'skies' correctly in a sentence involves understanding its role as a plural noun that often takes a plural verb, although it is frequently part of a descriptive phrase that functions as the subject. The most common way to use 'skies' is with a descriptive adjective that tells the reader what the weather or atmosphere looks like. For example, 'The skies are clear today' is a standard way to report the weather. Notice that we use 'are' because 'skies' is plural. This is a common point of confusion for learners who might want to use the singular 'is' because they are thinking of the sky as a single entity. However, once you commit to the plural form, the rest of the sentence must agree grammatically. Another frequent usage is in the prepositional phrase 'under... skies,' which sets the scene for an action. 'Under gray skies, the funeral procession moved slowly' uses the plural to emphasize the somber, all-encompassing mood of the day. This structure is very effective in creative writing and journalism to establish a setting quickly and evocatively.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Always pair 'skies' with plural verbs like 'are,' 'were,' 'look,' or 'become.' Example: 'The skies look threatening.'

As evening fell, the skies turned a deep shade of violet and orange.

Descriptive Adjectives: Common adjectives include: clear, sunny, cloudy, overcast, stormy, leaden, azure, and starry.

We hope for fair skies for the outdoor wedding ceremony this Saturday.

You will also find 'skies' used in the context of time. Phrases like 'evening skies' or 'morning skies' help to specify the time of day while describing the visual appearance of the atmosphere. This is particularly useful in storytelling. For instance, 'The morning skies were filled with the songs of birds' sounds more poetic and expansive than 'The morning sky was filled with birds.' The plural suggests a wider canvas. Additionally, 'skies' is used in the phrase 'to the skies,' which functions as an adverbial phrase of degree. If you 'praise someone to the skies,' you are praising them to the highest possible degree. This is a fixed idiom where the singular 'sky' is rarely used. Similarly, 'skies' is often found in the context of aviation and space travel, referring to the various layers or regions of the atmosphere that a pilot or astronaut might navigate. Understanding these patterns—geographic, meteorological, idiomatic, and temporal—will allow you to use 'skies' with the same nuance as a native speaker.

Temporal Contexts: Using 'skies' with times of day: 'night skies,' 'dawn skies,' 'sunset skies.'

The winter skies are often much clearer for stargazing than the humid skies of summer.

The critics praised the director's new film to the skies, calling it a masterpiece of modern cinema.

Pilots must remain vigilant when flying through crowded skies near major international airports.

In contemporary English, the word 'skies' is a staple of several specific domains. The most common place you will encounter it is in weather reporting. Forecasts on television, radio, and smartphone apps almost exclusively use 'skies' to describe upcoming conditions. You will hear phrases like 'expect partly cloudy skies' or 'clear skies throughout the region.' This is because meteorologists are describing the state of the atmosphere over a broad area, and the plural form fits this distributive meaning perfectly. If you are planning a trip or checking the weather for a weekend event, 'skies' will be one of the most frequent words you see. Another major domain is travel and tourism. Brochures and websites often use 'skies' to sell a destination's appeal. Phrases like 'the sunny skies of the Caribbean' or 'the endless blue skies of the Outback' are designed to evoke a sense of freedom and pleasant weather. In this context, 'skies' is a marketing tool that paints a picture of a perfect vacation environment.

Weather Forecasting: Standard terminology for describing cloud cover and atmospheric clarity over a region.

The meteorologist predicted that the overcast skies would break by mid-afternoon.

Tourism and Travel: Used to create an inviting image of a destination's climate and natural beauty.

Escape the winter chill and fly to the sun-drenched skies of our island resort.

Beyond these practical uses, 'skies' is deeply embedded in the arts. Songwriters and poets love the word because it is evocative and phonetically pleasing. Think of classic songs like 'Blue Skies' by Irving Berlin or the many lyrics that mention 'starry skies.' In these creative works, 'skies' often represents hope, romance, or the infinite possibilities of life. It is also found in news reporting, particularly when discussing aviation, military operations, or environmental issues. A news anchor might report on 'congested skies' during a holiday travel rush or 'smoke-filled skies' during a wildfire season. In these cases, the word is used to describe the condition of the air space in a way that feels more comprehensive than the singular 'sky.' Finally, you will hear 'skies' in everyday idioms. If someone says 'the skies opened up,' they mean it suddenly started raining very hard. This idiomatic use is common in casual conversation and storytelling. By paying attention to these different contexts, you will see that 'skies' is a versatile word that bridges the gap between technical description and emotional expression.

Aviation and News: Refers to air traffic or the physical state of the atmosphere during significant events like fires or storms.

Just as we reached the trailhead, the skies opened up and we were drenched in seconds.

The festival was held under the bright, festive skies of the midsummer solstice.

Environmentalists are concerned about the haze that has been obscuring the skies over the city.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'skies' is failing to ensure subject-verb agreement. Because we often think of the 'sky' as a single, unified thing, it is tempting to say 'The skies is blue.' However, since 'skies' is grammatically plural, it must always take a plural verb: 'The skies are blue.' This error is particularly common when the speaker is translating directly from a language where the word for 'sky' is always singular. Another mistake is using 'skies' when the singular 'sky' is more appropriate. While 'skies' is great for describing weather or specific locations, the singular 'sky' is used for general scientific facts or when referring to the sky as a singular boundary. For example, you would say 'The sky is part of the Earth's atmosphere,' not 'The skies are part of...' Using the plural in a scientific or general context can sound overly poetic or simply incorrect. It is important to distinguish between the sky as a physical entity and 'skies' as a descriptive state.

Agreement Errors: Mistakenly using singular verbs with 'skies.' Correct: 'The skies were gray.' Incorrect: 'The skies was gray.'

Many students forget that skies requires a plural verb, leading to common grammatical slips in writing.

Over-poeticizing: Using 'skies' in plain, factual statements where 'sky' is the standard term. Example: 'The sky is blue because of Rayleigh scattering.'

While 'sunny skies' is common, saying 'the skies is above us' is a fundamental error.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'skies' and 'sky's.' The latter is the possessive form or a contraction of 'sky is' (e.g., 'The sky's color is blue' or 'The sky's falling!'). Learners often mix up the plural 's' with the possessive apostrophe 's.' Remember that 'skies' never has an apostrophe unless you are talking about something belonging to multiple skies, which is extremely rare. Additionally, some learners use 'skies' as a verb, which is technically possible but very rare and usually limited to specific slang or technical contexts (like 'skying' a ball in sports). In 99% of cases, 'skies' should be treated strictly as a plural noun. Finally, be careful with the idiom 'the sky is the limit.' Some people mistakenly say 'the skies are the limit.' While the meaning is understood, the standard idiomatic form uses the singular 'sky.' Sticking to the singular for fixed idioms ensures your English sounds natural and polished. By being mindful of these grammatical and idiomatic nuances, you can avoid the most frequent errors associated with this word.

Apostrophe Confusion: Confusing the plural 'skies' with the possessive 'sky's.' Plural: 'Clear skies.' Possessive: 'The sky's edge.'

It is a common typo to write 'sky's' when you actually mean the plural skies.

Using 'the skies are the limit' is an understandable but technically incorrect version of the famous idiom.

Always double-check your verb agreement: 'The skies have cleared,' not 'The skies has cleared.'

When you want to avoid repeating 'skies' or need a word with a slightly different nuance, several alternatives are available. The most direct synonym is, of course, the singular 'sky,' but as we've discussed, the choice between them often depends on the desired tone and grammatical context. For a more formal or poetic feel, you might use 'the heavens.' This word carries a grander, sometimes spiritual connotation, suggesting the vast expanse of the universe or the dwelling place of the divine. It is often used in literature or when expressing awe at the night sky. Another alternative is 'the firmament,' a somewhat archaic but very beautiful word that refers to the sky as a solid arch or vault. You might encounter this in older literature or religious texts. For a more scientific or technical context, 'the atmosphere' is the appropriate term. This refers specifically to the gases surrounding the Earth and is used when discussing weather, pollution, or planetary science.

The Heavens: A poetic and often spiritual alternative. Example: 'The stars shone brightly in the heavens.'

The ancient mariners looked to the heavens to navigate their ships across the unknown seas.

The Atmosphere: The scientific term for the air and gases above the Earth. Example: 'Pollutants are released into the atmosphere.'

The greenhouse effect occurs when certain gases trap heat within the Earth's atmosphere.

In more casual or descriptive settings, you might use 'the blue' or 'the wild blue yonder.' These are idiomatic and evoke a sense of adventure and the great outdoors. If you are focusing on the weather specifically, you might use 'the elements' to refer to the sky and the conditions it produces (rain, wind, sun). For example, 'The hikers were exposed to the elements' implies they were out under the sky in harsh weather. Another useful term is 'the horizon,' which refers to the line where the sky meets the earth. While not a direct synonym for 'skies,' it is often used in the same descriptive passages. Finally, 'the ether' is a word that was once used to describe the upper regions of space or the clear sky above the clouds, though it is now mostly used in a metaphorical sense (e.g., 'the message vanished into the ether'). Choosing the right alternative depends on whether you want to be poetic, scientific, or casual. 'Skies' remains the most versatile and common choice for describing the ever-changing face of the world above us.

The Blue: A casual, descriptive way to refer to a clear sky. Example: 'The plane disappeared into the wild blue.'

After the storm, the blue returned, and the birds began to sing once more.

The telescope allowed us to see deep into the ether, revealing distant galaxies.

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the skies in shades of crimson.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

중립

비격식체

Child friendly

속어

재미있는 사실

In many other Germanic languages, the word for sky still means cloud (like the German 'Wolke'). English is unique in having shifted the meaning to the whole atmosphere.

발음 가이드

UK /skaɪz/

US /skaɪz/

The word is a single syllable, so the stress is naturally on that syllable.

라임이 맞는 단어

eyes rise lies wise size prize flies tries cries

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the final 's' as a soft 's' (like 'ice') instead of a voiced 'z'.
Shortening the 'i' sound so it sounds like 'skiz'.
Over-emphasizing the 'k' sound.
Adding an extra syllable at the end.
Failing to blend the 's' and 'k' smoothly at the beginning.

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, usually accompanied by descriptive adjectives.

쓰기 3/5

Requires attention to subject-verb agreement and idiomatic usage.

말하기 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but must remember to use 'are' instead of 'is'.

듣기 2/5

Clearly audible in weather reports and songs.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

sky blue cloud weather sun

다음에 배울 것

atmosphere horizon meteorology celestial vastness

고급

firmament stratosphere azure leaden overcast

알아야 할 문법

Subject-Verb Agreement with Plural Nouns

The skies ARE (not is) clear.

Using Adjectives before Plural Nouns

We saw STARRY skies.

Prepositional Phrases for Setting

UNDER the gray skies, he walked alone.

Idiomatic Pluralization

Praising someone TO THE SKIES.

Distinguishing Plural from Possessive

Skies (plural) vs Sky's (possessive).

수준별 예문

The skies are blue today.

Les cieux sont bleus aujourd'hui.

Use 'are' because 'skies' is plural.

I see gray skies.

Je vois des cieux gris.

Plural noun used as an object.

Sunny skies make me happy.

Les cieux ensoleillés me rendent heureux.

Adjective 'sunny' describes 'skies'.

The skies were dark at night.

Les cieux étaient sombres la nuit.

Past tense plural verb 'were'.

We like clear skies.

Nous aimons les cieux dégagés.

Direct object of the verb 'like'.

Are the skies cloudy?

Les cieux sont-ils nuageux ?

Question form with plural verb 'are'.

The skies look very big.

Les cieux ont l'air très grands.

Plural verb 'look' without 's'.

Look at the red skies!

Regarde les cieux rouges !

Imperative sentence.

We had sunny skies for our picnic.

Nous avons eu des cieux ensoleillés pour notre pique-nique.

Common collocation 'sunny skies'.

The skies in Italy are beautiful.

Les cieux en Italie sont beaux.

Prepositional phrase 'in Italy' specifies the location.

Do you like the night skies here?

Aimes-tu les cieux nocturnes ici ?

Compound-like use of 'night skies'.

The skies became very dark before the rain.

Les cieux sont devenus très sombres avant la pluie.

Linking verb 'became' followed by an adjective.

The plane flew through the clear skies.

L'avion a volé à travers les cieux dégagés.

Preposition 'through' followed by the noun phrase.

The winter skies are often gray.

Les cieux d'hiver sont souvent gris.

Subject is 'winter skies'.

I love the colorful skies at sunset.

J'adore les cieux colorés au coucher du soleil.

Adjective 'colorful' describes the plural noun.

The skies are usually clear in summer.

Les cieux sont généralement dégagés en été.

Adverb 'usually' modifies the verb 'are'.

Under the threatening skies, we decided to stay indoors.

Sous les cieux menaçants, nous avons décidé de rester à l'intérieur.

Introductory prepositional phrase setting the mood.

The meteorologist predicted clear skies for the weekend.

Le météorologue a prédit des cieux dégagés pour le week-end.

Formal usage in a weather context.

The skies opened up and it poured for hours.

Les cieux se sont ouverts et il a plu à verse pendant des heures.

Idiomatic expression 'the skies opened up'.

They spent the evening gazing at the starry skies.

Ils ont passé la soirée à contempler les cieux étoilés.

Gerund 'gazing' followed by a prepositional phrase.

The tropical skies were a vibrant shade of pink.

Les cieux tropicaux étaient d'une nuance de rose éclatante.

Geographic adjective 'tropical'.

Pollution can often haze the city skies.

La pollution peut souvent obscurcir les cieux de la ville.

Verb 'haze' acting on the object 'city skies'.

We hope for fair skies during our boat trip.

Nous espérons des cieux cléments pendant notre voyage en bateau.

Adjective 'fair' meaning good weather.

The skies looked leaden and heavy with snow.

Les cieux semblaient de plomb et lourds de neige.

Descriptive adjectives 'leaden' and 'heavy'.

The critics praised the young actor to the skies.

Les critiques ont porté le jeune acteur aux nues.

Idiom 'praise to the skies'.

The open skies agreement allowed for more international flights.

L'accord 'ciel ouvert' a permis davantage de vols internationaux.

Compound noun phrase in a political/legal context.

Under the vast skies of the desert, everything felt silent.

Sous les vastes cieux du désert, tout semblait silencieux.

Emphasis on vastness using the plural form.

The skies over the capital were filled with fireworks.

Les cieux au-dessus de la capitale étaient remplis de feux d'artifice.

Prepositional phrase 'over the capital' specifies the location.

He dreamed of flying through the azure skies of his homeland.

Il rêvait de voler à travers les cieux azur de sa patrie.

Literary adjective 'azure'.

The smoke from the wildfires turned the skies a strange orange.

La fumée des incendies de forêt a rendu les cieux d'un orange étrange.

Causative structure with 'turned'.

The company is looking for some blue-sky thinking to solve this.

L'entreprise recherche une réflexion innovante pour résoudre cela.

Metaphorical use in business English.

The skies are darkening as the economic crisis deepens.

Les cieux s'assombrissent à mesure que la crise économique s'aggrave.

Metaphorical use of weather to describe a situation.

The novel captures the shifting skies of the English countryside.

Le roman capture les cieux changeants de la campagne anglaise.

Participle 'shifting' as an adjective.

The pilot navigated the congested skies near the busy hub.

Le pilote a navigué dans les cieux encombrés près de la plaque tournante.

Technical usage in aviation.

Her poetry often reflects the leaden skies of her industrial hometown.

Sa poésie reflète souvent les cieux de plomb de sa ville industrielle natale.

Symbolic use of 'leaden skies'.

The treaty aims to ensure the skies remain free for scientific research.

Le traité vise à garantir que les cieux restent libres pour la recherche scientifique.

Formal subject in a legal/scientific context.

The ancient Greeks believed the skies were the domain of the gods.

Les anciens Grecs croyaient que les cieux étaient le domaine des dieux.

Historical/Mythological context.

The photographer is famous for his shots of dramatic, stormy skies.

Le photographe est célèbre pour ses clichés de cieux dramatiques et orageux.

Compound adjectives 'dramatic, stormy'.

As the sun set, the skies were set ablaze with crimson and gold.

Alors que le soleil se couchait, les cieux s'embrasèrent de pourpre et d'or.

Idiomatic 'set ablaze' used with 'skies'.

The vastness of the northern skies is truly humbling to behold.

L'immensité des cieux du nord est vraiment une leçon d'humilité à contempler.

Gerund 'humbling' as a complement.

The philosopher pondered the infinite nature of the starry skies.

Le philosophe méditait sur la nature infinie des cieux étoilés.

Abstract philosophical context.

The painting’s use of light perfectly mimics the translucent skies of dawn.

L'utilisation de la lumière dans le tableau imite parfaitement les cieux translucides de l'aube.

Artistic analysis using specific adjectives.

The geopolitical tension was reflected in the contested skies above the border.

La tension géopolitique se reflétait dans les cieux contestés au-dessus de la frontière.

Sophisticated metaphorical and literal overlap.

One cannot help but feel a sense of insignificance under such ancient skies.

On ne peut s'empêcher de ressentir un sentiment d'insignifiance sous des cieux aussi anciens.

Use of 'such' for emphasis.

The author’s prose is as expansive as the prairie skies he describes.

La prose de l'auteur est aussi vaste que les cieux de la prairie qu'il décrit.

Comparative structure 'as... as'.

The satellite was launched into the clear, high skies beyond the stratosphere.

Le satellite a été lancé dans les cieux clairs et hauts au-delà de la stratosphère.

Technical/Scientific precision.

The festival culminated in a display that lit up the entire night skies.

Le festival a culminé avec un spectacle qui a illuminé l'intégralité des cieux nocturnes.

Use of 'entire' with the plural form.

The environmental impact of the eruption was visible in the ashen skies for months.

L'impact environnemental de l'éruption a été visible dans les cieux cendrés pendant des mois.

Descriptive adjective 'ashen'.

자주 쓰는 조합

sunny skies

clear skies

gray skies

stormy skies

starry skies

overcast skies

tropical skies

leaden skies

open skies

night skies

자주 쓰는 구문

under the skies

to the skies

the skies opened up

blue skies ahead

skies are the limit

cloudy skies

evening skies

southern skies

clear blue skies

threatening skies

자주 혼동되는 단어

skies vs sky's

This is the possessive form or a contraction of 'sky is.' 'Skies' is the plural form.

skies vs heavens

More poetic or spiritual. 'Skies' is more common for weather.

skies vs atmosphere

Scientific term. 'Skies' is more visual and descriptive.

관용어 및 표현

"praise someone to the skies"

To praise someone very highly and enthusiastically.

The critics praised the new play to the skies.

Informal/Neutral

"blue-sky thinking"

Creative ideas that are not limited by current reality or practical constraints.

We need some blue-sky thinking to get out of this mess.

Business/Professional

"the skies opened"

Used to describe the sudden onset of heavy rain.

The skies opened just as the race began.

Neutral

"out of the clear blue skies"

A variation of 'out of the blue,' meaning something happened completely unexpectedly.

The news came out of the clear blue skies.

Informal

"aim for the skies"

To have very high ambitions or goals.

My parents always told me to aim for the skies.

Neutral

"under sunny skies"

In a situation that is happy, positive, or literally in good weather.

The festival took place under sunny skies.

Neutral

"smell the skies"

A rare poetic expression meaning to enjoy the fresh air or freedom.

He stepped outside to finally smell the skies of freedom.

Poetic

"skies of change"

A metaphorical way to say that a situation is about to change significantly.

The skies of change are blowing through the industry.

Literary

"reach for the skies"

Similar to 'aim for the skies,' to try to achieve something very difficult.

Don't be afraid to reach for the skies.

Neutral

"watch the skies"

To be alert for something, often used in sci-fi or regarding weather/threats.

The astronomers continue to watch the skies for new comers.

Neutral

혼동하기 쉬운

skies vs sky

Singular vs Plural

Use 'sky' for the general concept and 'skies' for specific weather or locations.

The sky is blue. We have sunny skies in Spain.

skies vs skis

Pronunciation

'Skis' (the equipment) is pronounced /skiːz/, while 'skies' is /skaɪz/.

I put on my skis. I looked at the skies.

skies vs guys

Rhyme

'Guys' refers to people; 'skies' refers to the atmosphere.

Those guys are looking at the skies.

skies vs spies

Rhyme

'Spies' are secret agents; 'skies' is the plural of sky.

The spies watched the skies for the plane.

skies vs size

Rhyme

'Size' is a measurement; 'skies' is the plural of sky.

The size of the skies is hard to imagine.

문장 패턴

The skies are [adjective].

The skies are blue.

We have [adjective] skies.

We have sunny skies.

Under the [adjective] skies, [clause].

Under the gray skies, it started to rain.

The skies opened up and [clause].

The skies opened up and we got wet.

[Subject] praised [object] to the skies.

The boss praised her to the skies.

The [adjective] skies of [location] are [adjective].

The tropical skies of Bali are breathtaking.

The [adjective] skies [verb] over the [noun].

The leaden skies hung low over the city.

[Noun] is as [adjective] as the [adjective] skies.

Her ambition is as vast as the prairie skies.

어휘 가족

명사

동사

형용사

사용법

frequency

Common in weather, travel, and literature.

자주 하는 실수

The skies is clear. → The skies are clear.
'Skies' is a plural noun and requires a plural verb.
I love the sky's in summer. → I love the skies in summer.
Do not use an apostrophe for the plural form.
The sky is the limits. → The sky is the limit.
In this specific idiom, the singular 'sky' and 'limit' are the standard form.
He praised me to the sky. → He praised me to the skies.
The idiom 'praise to the skies' almost always uses the plural form.
The skies of the earth is thin. → The Earth's atmosphere is thin.
Use 'atmosphere' for scientific facts rather than the more descriptive 'skies.'

팁

Watch Your Verbs

Always pair 'skies' with plural verbs like 'are,' 'were,' 'look,' or 'have.' It’s the most common mistake to use a singular verb.

Use for Weather

When describing the weather, 'skies' often sounds more natural than 'sky.' Try saying 'clear skies' instead of 'a clear sky' in your next conversation.

Be Poetic

Use 'skies' to add a sense of vastness or beauty to your writing. It creates a more expansive mental image for the reader.

Praise Highly

Remember the phrase 'praise to the skies.' It’s a great way to say you really admire someone or something.

Air Space

In news or travel, 'skies' often refers to the air space above a country. 'The skies over London' refers to the area where planes fly.

No Apostrophe

Don't add an apostrophe to 'skies' unless you are showing possession. For the plural form, it's just s-k-i-e-s.

Sunny vs Clear

'Sunny skies' implies the sun is out, while 'clear skies' just means there are no clouds (it could be night!). Use them accurately.

Blue Skies

Use 'blue skies' metaphorically to talk about a positive future or a project with no obstacles.

Weather Apps

Check your weather app. You’ll likely see 'skies' used in the daily summary. It’s a great way to see the word in action.

The 'Z' Sound

Make sure the 's' at the end of 'skies' sounds like a 'z.' This small detail makes your pronunciation sound much more natural.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'Skies' as 'Sky' + 'ies' (plural). Imagine multiple layers of clouds in the 'skies.'

시각적 연상

Visualize a wide landscape with different types of clouds and colors, representing the variety found in 'skies.'

Word Web

Weather Clouds Blue Stars Aviation Poetry Horizon Atmosphere

챌린지

Try to use 'skies' in three different sentences today: one about the weather, one about a place, and one using an idiom.

어원

The word 'sky' comes from the Old Norse word 'ský,' which actually meant 'cloud.' It entered Middle English as 'skie,' and over time, the meaning shifted from the clouds themselves to the entire expanse where clouds are found.

원래 의미: Cloud

Germanic (Old Norse)

문화적 맥락

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that in some religious contexts, 'the heavens' might be preferred over 'skies' when referring to the divine.

Commonly used in weather small talk, which is a major part of social interaction in the UK, Canada, and the US.

The song 'Blue Skies' by Irving Berlin. The phrase 'the sky is the limit' (often varied to 'skies'). The 'Open Skies' international treaty.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Weather Reports

Expect clear skies
Partly cloudy skies
Sunny skies throughout
Overcast skies likely

Travel Writing

Under tropical skies
Endless blue skies
The sunny skies of...
Fly the friendly skies

Literature/Poetry

Starry skies above
Threatening skies loomed
Praise to the skies
Evening skies glowed

Aviation

Congested skies
Open skies policy
Navigating the skies
Sovereign skies

Everyday Conversation

The skies opened up
Beautiful skies today
Look at those skies
Blue skies ahead

대화 시작하기

"Have you ever seen the starry skies in the countryside? It's amazing."

"The skies look a bit threatening today, don't you think?"

"I really miss the sunny skies of my hometown during the winter."

"Do you prefer clear blue skies or dramatic, stormy skies for photography?"

"If you could fly through the skies anywhere in the world, where would you go?"

일기 주제

Describe the most beautiful skies you have ever seen in your life.

How do gray skies affect your mood compared to sunny skies?

Write a short story that begins with the sentence: 'The skies opened up just as we reached the top.'

What does the phrase 'blue skies ahead' mean to you in your personal life?

Reflect on a time when you felt small under the vast night skies.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, 'skies' is the plural form of 'sky.' Even when we use it to describe the weather in one place, we treat it as a plural noun grammatically, so we use 'are' or 'were.' For example, 'The skies are clear' is the correct form.

Use 'skies' when you are describing the weather (e.g., 'sunny skies'), a specific geographic area (e.g., 'tropical skies'), or when you want to be more poetic. Use 'sky' for general facts (e.g., 'The sky is above us') or as a singular entity.

No, that is incorrect. Since 'skies' is plural, you must use the plural verb 'are.' The correct sentence is 'The skies are blue.' This is a common mistake for learners, so be careful with subject-verb agreement.

This is an idiom that means it suddenly started raining very heavily. It's a vivid way to describe a downpour. For example, 'We were walking home when the skies opened up, and we got soaked.'

Yes, in the phrase 'blue-sky thinking,' which refers to creative, non-traditional thinking without limits. It's also used in 'open skies agreements' regarding international aviation and flight paths.

Not necessarily, but it can sound more descriptive or literary. In weather reports, it is the standard term. In everyday speech, both are used, but 'skies' is specific to the appearance of the atmosphere.

Only if it's possessive, which is very rare (e.g., 'the various skies' colors'). Usually, people confuse 'skies' (plural) with 'sky's' (possessive or 'sky is'). 'Skies' as a plural noun never needs an apostrophe.

In very specific contexts, like sports, 'to sky' means to hit or throw something very high. 'He skies the ball' would be the third-person singular. However, this is much less common than the noun usage.

Common adjectives include sunny, clear, cloudy, overcast, stormy, gray, blue, starry, and leaden. These help specify exactly what the atmosphere looks like at a given time.

They are similar, but 'the heavens' is more poetic, formal, or spiritual. You would use 'the heavens' when talking about stars or God, while 'the skies' is more common for weather and everyday descriptions.