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Believer

#242176 Sun, 02 Jul 06 11:09 PM

Hi,

1. Sometimes I have to look very closely to identify whether the writer meant to say a typical kind something (or just something) or a lot of something when that person used the word "some"in front of countable nouns. Do you have some guidelines to help me make the distinctions easily? Sorry I can't think of any good examples off my head but maybe this ?

Some example will do.

Some examples will do.

I want some material in that box.

I want some materials in that box.

2. Which one is right?

Whom is this purse belong to?

Who is this purse belong to?

Believer

Joined on Mon, Jan 2 2006

Contributing Member (1,969)

Nouns, Whom, Countable nouns

rvw

#242193 Mon, 03 Jul 06 12:22 AM

Some has a variety of uses. As an indefinite article (like a/an) it modifies plural count nouns and mass nouns.

Some boys walked down the street.
Some cold beer would taste great right now.

I would say some examples and some material. In some cases, the context or knowledge of the world may be needed to decide whether a noun is count or mass.

Number 2 should be To whom does this purse belong or This purse belongs to whom?

rvw