myeung  +  662882 Wed, 04 Feb 09 05:55 PM Sometime I cannot distinguish between countable and uncountable noun.   For example, “invention”, it is either a countable or uncountable noun. But, I cannot know how we can count the invention in my life.   And also, I just memorize the word whether it is counted or not. So, can anyone suggest me how to distinguish between them? thx myeung Joined on Sun, Dec 28 2008 USA New Member 20 Nouns, Uncountable Nouns, Countable Nouns

	MrPernickety  +  662920 Wed, 04 Feb 09 06:58 PM   Hi, There's no rule of thumb that will allow you to know beforehand whether a noun is countable or otherwise. To make matters worse, there are a great many nouns in English that can be countable with one meaning and uncountable with another, this can be a real pain in the rear end . The only way about this is to learn whether a noun is counatble or not. You can use this online dictionary that provides thorough information on nouns http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ Whenever in doubt, I use it to be clear on usages of nouns. MrPernickety Joined on Sat, Oct 25 2008 Regular Member 748 Amendment XXX to the US Constitution: No man shall be held accountable for any promise he makes while drunk unless it was a bet. Nouns, Countries, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Online, Usages, Languages

	myeung  +  663808 Thu, 05 Feb 09 04:07 PM thx MrP For me, memorizing is the only way to distinguish between countable and uncountable when I check it out by dictionary. But I will not recognize the word when I meet next time. How come?   myeung

	Yoong Liat  +  694598 Sun, 05 Apr 09 02:27 PM Hi Myeung Can you say 'one invention'? Since it is possible, it is a countable noun. Can you say 'one money'?  Since it is wrong to say so, it is an uncountable noun.       Yoong Liat Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006 Veteran Member 6,757 Nouns, Uncountable Nouns, Countable Nouns