How to say: “brain” or “brains”?

At least once in our lives, each of us has a question about why in some cases the word “brain” has only a single form, while in others it is used in the plural. In fact, the form of the word depends on the context in which the word “brain” is used, and on its meaning. Also, this article will help you find out if you are interested in what is right: “brain” or “brain”. What syllable should be emphasized in the plural of the word “brain”?

Morphological and syntactic properties of the word

The word “brain” is an inanimate masculine noun of the 2nd declension. The plural is brains. Also, "brains" is used as an independent word, which is not used in the singular.

The declension of the words “brain” and “brain” by cases is presented below.

How to speak?

Now we will analyze in which cases it is more correct to use the word "brain" in the singular, and in which - in the plural. We will also recall stable expressions and phraseological units with this word, we will find synonyms and antonyms for it. If you previously doubted which word to use more correctly - “brain” or “brains”, then, after reading this article, make no more mistakes either in the conversation or in the text.

Semantic properties of the word "brain"

There are several meanings in which the word "brain" is used in the singular:

1. The brain as an organ of the nervous system of a person or animal - the brain, spinal cord.
2. Synonymous with mind, mind. Often used in the plural, but may be in the singular. “Do you have any brains?” My brain is hot!
3. The system or decision makers. - Meet our development team - the brain of our company.
4. The center, the core of something on which the operation of the entire system depends. “The Pentagon is the brain of the United States Department of Defense.” The processor is the brain of the computer.

Synonyms, Antonyms, and Phraseologisms

Synonyms of the word "brain" - gray matter, intelligence, head, mind, mind.

Since the word in this case often has the meaning of the subject, it is difficult to select antonyms for it. There are many phraseological units and stable expressions in which the words “brain” or “brains” are used:

1. The brain is, in biology, the central organ of the nervous system of humans and animals.
2. The cerebral cortex is in biology the part of the brain that is responsible for intelligence and thinking.
3. Brain behind the brain has entered - an outdated expression. In vernacular, they say so about a person who has lost the ability to think sensibly.
4. The cerebral hemispheres - in biology, two parts of the brain: left and right.
5. Brain death - in medicine, the physiological death of an organ due to the irreversible destruction of its cells.
6. Concussion is a closed organ trauma. The same as kommotsiya.
7. The spinal cord is an organ of the central nervous system of animals and humans.
8. To take out the brain is to pester with intrusive conversations, criticism.

Semantic properties

Meaning of the word “brains”:

1. In colloquial form - mental abilities, mind. Examples: He does not have enough brains to do such a thing! My wife has tight brains ...
2. Brains in the meaning of an organ used in food, or a dish from it. Examples: Veal brains in batter. Fresh lamb brains were brought into our workshop.

Synonyms, Antonyms, and Phraseologisms

Synonyms of the first meaning of the word "brains" - intelligence, mind. Antonyms are stupid.

Persistent expressions related to the word:

1. Correct brains - retrain someone, forcefully impose another point of view.
2. To load brains is to load a person with extraneous information, which makes him go into thought.
3. To drip on the brain - constantly repeat, remind of the same thing.
4. Compost brains - inspire something, molest, lie.
5. Pecking brains - to teach, to impose a way of thinking, annoying with constant moralizing.
6. Powder your brain - cheat.
7. Brainwashing - the impact on the minds of people through various media. Manipulating people with the help of deception, fooling, embedding thoughts that are beneficial to someone.
8. Brains are smoking - fatigue from excessive mental work.
9. Brains on one side - about a person with quirks, thinking irrationally.
10. Throwing your brain - think it over well.
11. Stir your brains - think, think.
12. A brain drain is the emigration of scientists, specialists from a country for political, economic, religious reasons, etc. In this case, the country receives great cultural or economic damage.

Stress in the word

Perhaps some do not know how to correctly: “brain” or “brain”. In the plural, the word “brain” stresses the last syllable. Saying “brains” is wrong in any situation. Maybe our great-grandfathers used this stress before, but in the civilized world this should not be done.

Output

So how do you determine which word would be more appropriate to use in a given situation: “brain” or “brains”? The word “brain” is more often used in the scientific and official environment. Brains are a spoken word. Therefore, in our speech, we often use the second option. And this is normal. As for how to correctly say “brains” in the plural, everything is also very clear.