word/words

由于名词 word 单复数的差别以及有无不定冠词的差别,这三个短语的意思是完全不同的。

have word 是指“得到消息(指示)”:

1. I have had no word from him yet. (Palmer) 我还没有得到他的消息。

2. For three years his mother had no word from him. 三年来他母亲一直没有得到他的消息。

3. We have word that he was suspended from his office. 我们听说他被解除了职务。

have words 是指“吵架”：

1. They had words together and were never reconciled. 他们吵了架，以后从未和好。

2. Every time the two of them get together they have words. (Whitford) 他们俩人每次到一起都要吵架。

3. I had words with my girl friend last night. She says she never wants to see me again. 昨天晚上我同我的女朋友吵了一架。她说她永远也不想再见到我。

have a word 是指“和……说话”：

1. Can I have a word with you? 我可以跟您说句话吗？（我可以跟您谈谈吗？）

2. I should like to have a word with you. (Bennet) 我想跟您谈谈。

3. I had a chance to have a word with him when we met accidentally at the drugstore. 上次我们在杂货店偶然相遇,我有机会跟他谈了谈。

见 machine, minute。