Sand (singular):
* General term: Refers to the material itself, typically in a general sense.
* Uncountable noun: You can't count individual grains of sand, so it's used without a plural form.
* Examples:
* "The beach was covered in sand."
* "He got sand in his shoes."
* "The sand was hot under my feet."
Sands (plural):
* Specific areas: Refers to a particular area or areas of sand, often emphasizing their expanse or vastness.
* Countable noun: You can have multiple areas of sand, like deserts or beaches.
* Examples:
* "We walked for miles across the shifting sands of the desert."
* "The sands of time are running out." (This is an idiom, referring to time passing)
* "The ship ran aground on the sands of the bay."
In summary:
* Use sand when referring to the material in general.
* Use sands when referring to specific areas or expanses of sand.