tons

tons — noun

1. A standard measure of weight. One metric ton equals 1,000 kilograms, one short t

1.名詞A2
釋義

A standard measure of weight. One metric ton equals 1,000 kilograms, one short ton equals 907 kilograms, and one long ton equals 1,016 kilograms.

例句

The container ship carried over twenty thousand tons of grain.

number + tons + of + noun for cargo weight

Each steel beam weighs about half a ton, and the bridge needs over a hundred.

half a ton / number + tons for object weight

同義詞
  • tonne

    The preferred spelling for metric ton, especially in British English and scientific contexts.

反義詞
  • gram

    A much smaller unit of weight; 1 million grams = 1 metric ton.

  • kilogram

    A smaller unit; 1,000 kilograms = 1 metric ton.

文法句型

number + tons + of + noun

number + tons (alone)

用法筆記

Several different 'ton' measurements exist worldwide. The metric ton (1,000 kg) is the international standard. The short ton (907 kg) is common in the US, and the long ton (1,016 kg) is used in the UK for some purposes.

常見錯誤

❌The bag weighs 2 tons.' (when you mean a small bag).
✅The bag weighs 2 kilograms.
💡A ton is a very large unit; use kilograms or pounds for everyday items.

2. Used informally to say there is a very large amount or number of something, such

2.名詞A2
釋義

Used informally to say there is a very large amount or number of something, such as work, money, food, or people.

例句

Chiara has tons of homework this weekend and cannot go to the cinema.

tons of + uncountable noun (homework)

There are tons of great restaurants near the train station in Taipei.

同義詞
  • loads

    Equally informal; 'loads of' works the same way as 'tons of'.

  • heaps

    Informal, similar meaning; common in British and Australian English.

  • masses

    Informal; 'masses of' is common in UK English but less frequent in US English.

反義詞
  • hardly any

    Expresses the opposite — a very small amount.

  • a little

    A small amount, especially for uncountable nouns.

文法句型

tons of + uncountable noun

tons of + plural noun

tons (alone) as a quantity

用法筆記

This sense is always plural (tons) even in informal writing. It is most commonly followed by 'of' and a noun. The phrase 'tons (of something)' is often used this way informally. Avoid in formal or academic writing — use 'a large amount of' or 'a great many' instead.

常見錯誤

❌There is ton of people here.
✅There are tons of people here.
💡Use the plural form 'tons' and a plural verb when followed by a plural noun.
❌I have tons works to do.
✅I have tons of work to do.
💡Do not forget the preposition 'of' between 'tons' and the noun.