ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: troops vs soldiers

Yoong Liat — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:53:40 GMT

New2grammar

Oh no! Definition 2 makes things confusing. If a news article says two troops died in Baghdagh yesterday, how would you interpretate it?

Thanks, YL.

Hi New2grammar

I think you've forgotten my advice. It should be in-ter-pret.

Re: troops vs soldiers

Yoong Liat — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:43:40 GMT

New2grammar

Oh no! Definition 2 makes things confusing. If a news article says two troops died in Baghdagh yesterday, how would you interpretate it?

Thanks, YL.

It would be reported as two soldiers died ...

Troops are soldiers, especially when they are in a particular large organized group doing a particular task.

When it is reported that 35,000 troops were deployed ..., it would refer to the whole group of individual soldiers, totalling 35,000.

Re: troops vs soldiers

optilang — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:37:59 GMT

For me soldier = a member of the army

troops = members of the armed forces - could be army, marines, etc

Re: troops vs soldiers

New2grammar — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:29:39 GMT

Oh no! Definition 2 makes things confusing. If a news article says two troops died in Baghdagh yesterday, how would you interpretate it?

Thanks, YL.

Re: troops vs soldiers

Yoong Liat — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:26:09 GMT

New2grammar

Xinhua reported 135,000 Chinese troops and medics are involved in the rescue effort across 58 counties and cities.

Can I replace troops with soldiers in general?

Yes. The following extract from the Collins Cobuild Dictionary for Advanced Learners gives a very clear definition of 'troops'.

1. Troops are soldiers, especially when they are in a particular large organized group doing a particular task.

The next phase of the operation will involve the deployment of more than 35,000 troops from thirty-five countries.

2. A troop is a group of soldiers within a cavalry or armoured regiment.

... a troop of enemy cavalry trotting towards the Dutch right flank.

troops vs soldiers

New2grammar — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:57:16 GMT

Thousands of people who were uprooted around the region have taken shelter at the city's main sports gym and other facilities. Reports say 7,395 people have died and 18,645 are trapped in debris in the city.

Xinhua reported 135,000 Chinese troops and medics are involved in the rescue effort across 58 counties and cities.

Can I replace troops with soldiers in general? Are they interchangable in other words?

Thanks in advance!