CONTENT(S)

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EyeSeeYou  #383174  Sat, 23 Jun 07 01:06 AM

The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English throws these acceptions, among others, for the noun CONTENT. Could somebody explain to me the difference in meaning between Ab and B and why one is un plural and the other in singular?

A) contents [plural]

a) the things that are inside a box, bag, room etc
contents of
The customs official rummaged through the contents of his briefcase.
Most of the gallery's contents were damaged in the fire.
contents insurance (=insurance for things such as furniture that you have in your house)
 
b) the things that are written in a letter, book etc
contents of
She kept the contents of the letter a secret.
The program automatically creates a table of contents (=a list at the beginning of a document that shows the different parts into which it is divided).
He cast his eye down the contents page.
 
B) [singular, uncountable] the ideas, facts, or opinions that are contained in a speech, piece of writing, film, programme etc:
The content of the media course includes scripting, editing and camera work.
 
C) [singular, uncountable] the information contained in a website, considered separately from the software that makes the website work:
The graphics are brilliant. It's just a shame the content is so poor.
  
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Mister Micawber  #383298  Sat, 23 Jun 07 09:54 AM

Ab refers to the numerous individual items included; B refers to the overall material contained.

  
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