Another plural question

Question

When I want to say a colored pencil would I use un lápiz de color?

When I want to make that plural do I use unos lapices de color or unos lapices de colores?

What is the reason for using the singular or plural form of color? Is it the same all over the world or does it change by country?

Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

When I want to make that plural do I use unos lapices de color or unos lapices de colores?

"Unos lápices de color" is corrrect because "de color" is a qualifying clause/adjective phrase, rather than a simple adjective, such as "unos lápices colorados." It is one quality of one pencil or many pencils. I don´t believe there is any regionalism for this - it´s just a case of grammar.

Possibly easier to understand this way, ie: "En México hay muchos bancos de España" and "en México hay muchos bancos españoles."

Excellent, of course! - --Mariana--, Aug 18, 2012