(numbers) a large quantity or amount, often in contrast to a smaller one; numerical preponderance. The weight of numbers turned the battle against them . You use number with words such as `large' or `small' to say approximately how many

Beware calling a gerund anything but a gerund on this site. The present participle ("ing" form of verb) has more than one use, but when it functions as a noun, it's identity as "gerund" is defended here with religious

It's not a verb. It's a noun. As your teacher said, it's a reference to an ability. It's a skill, a talent, an ability, a gift. a and an , as in an amazing gift , are used in English only with nouns. Nevertheless, gift , being

I always thought those words could be used synonymously as nouns (when 'usage' doesn't refer to a habit). From Dictionary.reference.com: Usage: The act, manner, or amount of using; use:  the usage of a technical term; an instrument

Hi there. Are these commonly used nouns among native speakers? tiredness, bus i ness, oldness , I'd rather use senility, senium. What about " youngness "? Juvenility, adolescense, youth . Youngness doesn't ring a bell

"A sweat" is idiomatic and describes the physical condition of being sweaty. Example: I worked up a sweat in my morning exercise class. The use of an article before non-count nouns is idiomatic - sometimes we use it, and sometimes

Not sweet, but sweat. (pronounced: swet) "A sweat" is idiomatic and describes the physical condition of being sweaty. Example: I worked up a sweat in my morning exercise class. The use of an article before non-count nouns is idiomatic

Thanks for the follow-up CJ. Just wondering. '...that..' can only refer to a noun phrase right? I mean it can't be used as a reference to 'democracy is an aspiration' right? Thank you again PBF

Hi. Why would this be wrong (if it is indeed wrong)? Thank you. I think we usually use the definite article with a noun like "dog" to make a statement that makes a reference to its attributes. My favourite animal is a dog.

Which is the correct phrase: "match with" or "match to". This is in reference to writing directions in quizzes or tests, particularly when the test-taker is asked to match a word woth a picture. Personally, I use " Match