http://www.englishforums.com/search/pro.htm?q=tag%3aCountable+NounsSearch results for 'tag:Countable Nouns' matching tag 'Countable Nouns'en-USXMOD (Build: 3614.32638)http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheyFeverFever/zgznn/post.htm#979750Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:58:48 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:979750vini.chI know I am responding to a very old post .. none the less I'd rather have my doubt cleared. I understand that we use the indefinite articles with countable nouns however how is Fever considered to be countable?http://www.englishforums.com/English/NotASingle/ljpvn/post.htm#967481Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:18:07 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:967481raimon1987Yes, you can, because they're all singular countable nouns. you can also use "not one"http://www.englishforums.com/English/AQuestionDictionaryUsage/lwdrn/post.htmSun, 01 Nov 2009 13:42:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:958915icadiaI know some nouns can be either countable or uncountable. when I look for something in my dictionaries, I can notice a subtle difference between nouns. Some nouns have their definitions starting with " " In OALD7, and other nouns have their definitions starting with " " What's the exact difference between them? I think Nouns starting with " " in their definitions mean that the noun is used as an uncountable noun for the most part, but sometimes, It can also be used as a countable noun , and " " is the reverse. am I thinking right? I need your advice.http://www.englishforums.com/English/JestJests/2/lgmvb/Post.htm#953055Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:52:13 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:953055avangic/p, are you conversant with the concept of countable nouns vs. uncountable nouns? We have this discussion often on the forums. I tried to suggest in my last post that this might be what you were reaching for in your singular vs. plural question. I wasn't sure if you followed me. That jest was amusing. singular, a countable thing. Those jests were amusing. plural, countable things. Your jest is wearing me down. (always singular) uncountable stuff.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ArticleForBusinessClass/lgchm/post.htm#949149Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:59:02 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:949149ivanhrThis structure (the + singular countable noun) can be used to generalize but is mainly used with animals, plants, things and even certain groups of people. 1. The computer has changed the way we do business. 2. The mountain lion is a member of the Felidae family. 3. The average American speaks two languages. Normally uncountable nouns are not used in this way and even countable nouns which are abstract and represent concepts rather than things which are tangible cannot be used in this way. In conclusion, 'the business class' would be incorrect, at least in my opinion.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsingOther/lzrcd/post.htm#943479Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:55:02 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:943479coloraday-They're almost same in the meaning. --In the meaning of Additional ,another is used with singular countable nouns. Could I have another piece of bread? With uncountable nouns more is common. --They both can also mean (an) alternative. I think we should paint it another colour. Have you got any other cakes,or are these the only ones? --Other is not used exactly like an adjective.So it cannot have an adverb before it ,or be used after a linking verb. I'd prefer a completely different colour.(not...a completely other...)http://www.englishforums.com/English/WomenRequestingMammograms/lvlpm/post.htm#941898Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:42:26 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:941898banu82inFew is used with countable nouns and less with uncountable nouns. The noun following the first blank is women, which is a countable noun; so, fewer is the correct word to use there. Since we have used the comparative form of few, i.e., fewer, it follows that we say ...researchers find more cancer... environment. In this case, it would be wrong to say many cancer risks.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ArticlePluralUncountableNouns/lbrpg/post.htm#923920Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:16:30 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:923920mister micawber1-- an instance of deadness 2-- alternate amplifications = other explanations/elucidations. All these can be used as countable nouns.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WorkRelatedSentenceCorrection/kxwvh/post.htm#906399Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:00:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:906399cliveHi, Here's what my dictionary says about this. I've simplified the quote slightly. Some (people) feel that majority should used only with countable nouns, and not with mass nouns. To avoid wordiness and possible criticism, most may be used in such cases. Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/CountableUncountableNouns/kkcwq/post.htm#885126Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:43:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:885126cliveHi, I have to look at the bold nouns in the following sentances and decide if they are countale or uncountable I am not sure on the following could somone please check to see if my answers are correct Many thanks 1. Would you like a coffee ? countable The word 'coffee' is indeed used here as a countable noun (short for 'a cup of coffee'), but is more commonly used in an uncountable form. So, I'll just consider how these words are used in these sentences. 2. Can I have a beer please. countable 3. I always have broccoli with my potatoes uncountable 4. I'll have a bag of frozen caulifower please. un countable 5. Could you pass the peanuts ? uncountable No, you can count peanuts. ...http://www.englishforums.com/English/MoneyCountableUncountable-Noun/2/vbzpv/Post.htm#845306Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:21:12 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:845306aditivij18"Money" is an uncountable noun because of the rule that " we do not use a/an with uncountable nouns" Eg. we do not say: an oxygen a sand a gravel similarly, we dont say "a money" we count money in dollars, rupees, euros etc.. all these are countable nouns.. but money is an uncountable noun.http://www.englishforums.com/English/CountableUncountableNouns/kbpkx/post.htmSun, 02 Aug 2009 15:45:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:844642anonymousI understand a countable noun is presented by a number and it can be presentd in both the singular form and plural form and an uncountable noun can not be presented in the singular form and can not be presented by a number, However I am struggling to find out if DREAM and IMAGINATION is a countable noun or uncountable please can you help. Thanks in advancehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/CouldAnybodyFollowingQuestions/kbkzl/post.htm#843245Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:45:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:843245philipI believe the term is usually expressed "down-wind". The hyphen may not be approved by others. Dozens of = many, so it naturally would be used with countable nouns. You surely are aware that dozen = 12.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AKindOfCarOrAKindOfACar/jpwnb/post.htm#828493Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:03:16 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:828493califjim"Girls are usually afraid of cockroach ." Plural is not typically needed because you are referring cockroach as a collective noun. The same can be said " Cockroach is the most amazingly adaptable insect in the world". These are wrong. Singular concrete countable nouns must have articles. And if this ridiculous cockroach discussion starts up again I will lock this thread. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeNounsDifficultyDistinguish-MeaningsUsedCountableNounUnco/jpdgk/post.htm#826657Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:13:22 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:826657icadiaThanks. you really helped me.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeNounsDifficultyDistinguish-MeaningsUsedCountableNounUnco/jpdgk/post.htmSun, 19 Jul 2009 09:54:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:826363icadia"Change, Impact, Change etc" Theses words above can be either countable or uncountable. some examples are blew. We should have a choice/some choice in the matter. I haven't notice any changes/any change in the situation. The story failed to make an impact /made little impact on public opinion. Every time I encounter such nouns, or need to write something with them, I get into chaos, being unable to decide which form I should select in a situation I am trying to describe. I would like to know if there are a little or little difference in them. If there is some difference, what's the difference? which form should I choose? Can I take either of them unconditionally? I am waiting for your help. thanks.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeSingularNounsIndefiniteArticle/jmmrl/post.htm#816250Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:19:32 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:816250cool breezeThe indefinnite article and numbers are not used with non-countable nouns, such as advice. So, he has a good knowledge of English is wrong? CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeSingularNounsIndefiniteArticle/jmmrl/post.htm#814205Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:53:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:814205philipThe indefinnite article and numbers are not used with non-countable nouns, such as advice.http://www.englishforums.com/English/InformationVsInformations/jmrlw/post.htm#810852Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:53:06 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:810852grammar geekIt's not a countable noun. The same with advice, or luggage, or furniture, or any other of many non-count nouns. You can't have "an information" or "two informations." You can have a piece of information, or even two useful bits of information.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ALofOf/jlvzd/post.htm#806999Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:47:14 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:806999yoong liat'Are' is used with countable nouns. 1) A lot of the workers are dissatisfied with their working conditions. 2) A lot of books have been written on the subject.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheWordMeatMassNoun/jhmdc/post.htm#790313Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:43:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:790313mr wordyHow are they different? They sent a buyer to buy different kinds of meats/different kinds of meat. and They sent a buyer to buy different kinds of apples/different kinds of apple. To me there is no difference at all between "different kinds of apple" and "different kinds of apples". The same is true of most countable nouns. I generally prefer to use the singular. However, there is to me a potential slight difference between "different kinds of meat" and "different kinds of meats". Because "meats" is a less common word, I'd need a specific reason to use it. I'd tend to use the version with "meats" when talking about prepared meats (such as you...http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheWordMeatMassNoun/jhmdc/post.htm#789730Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:09:09 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:789730mr wordyI think the words "a meat" means a type or brand of meat. Correct. In everyday English, "meat" as a countable noun (with plural "meats") is much less common than "meat" as uncountable noun (mass noun). If in doubt, use the uncountable form. "different meats" -- means "different types/kinds of meat" "different meat" -- possible, but would usually mean "meat that's different from some other type of meat that's been mentioned" rather than "(an assortment of) different types of meat" "different kinds of meats" -- possible "different kinds of meat" -- fine; also "different types of meat"...http://www.englishforums.com/English/DesertShrub/jgplv/post.htm#785948Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:28:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:785948mr wordy"Desert shrub have tiny leaves..." is wrong. It should be "Desert shrub s have..." "shrub" is, as you say, a countable noun and follows the usual rules for such nouns. The Internet is littered with typo-ridden and faulty English, so it's no big surprise that you found some examples. I'm wondering, though, if you some of the instances you noticed are legitimate uses of the singular "shrub" that might appear wrong at first glance. For example, in Google News Search I see: "Desert shrub may offer diesel fuel alternative" -- this is a "telegraphic" style of English in which articles (and sometimes other "small words") are omitted. It's often used...http://www.englishforums.com/English/UncountableNounAffection/jgwql/post.htmThu, 18 Jun 2009 00:58:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:783762anonymousHi. I think (if I am not mistaken) mostly uncountable nouns that have something to do with emotions and feelings readily render themselves to a transformation to countable noun forms. Some uncountable nouns that I am thinking of, for example, would be "happiness" or "lowliness." Then, come to think of it (again, if I am not mistaken), I think virtually any uncountable nouns would be good candidates for this type of transformation as long as it can gain the agreement of those who are reading it (very roughly stated what I think what I wanted to say). Would you take this as part of this type of transformation? Sorry for not providing you a full sentence (thus able to give additional context). Not an...http://www.englishforums.com/English/MinersSpainBarricadedRoads/jvvxx/post.htm#773168Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:36:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:773168califjimIt occurs to me that making the nouns singular forces the use of an article. For example, "...chanted slogans" is okay but it has to be "..chanted a/the slogan." Similarly, in Mr. Tom's example "...barricaded roads" is okay but it has to be "...barricaded a/the road." Why? Not a clue. There is no "reason" for this. It's just an observed fact that a singular countable noun in English must be accompanied by a determiner. There is no semantic motivation for it, if that's what you're looking for. On the other hand, another way to see it is that the plural of a/an is the zero article: a road; roads . In this question of "roads" vs. "the roads", you're...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AnySingularOrPluralNoun/2/wklp/Post.htm#764843Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:10:42 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:764843anonymousthanks for your answer this topic was realy confusing me but now it's clear. ın our country capital letters using for to take attention sorry for screaming at you. and last question in this point is this rule can be used for countable nouns food exp: Is there an apple? Is there any apple? Are there any apples?http://www.englishforums.com/English/QuestionsArticleAdjectivePhrase-Formation/jbwjw/post.htm#759480Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:32:02 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:759480mr wordyI think most nouns are either countable or uncountable nouns with some nouns having both characteristics (if I am not mistaken). and the words 'hymn" and "lament" seem to be countable nouns. As I said, it's unusual. "hymn" and "lament" are almost always countable. However, there are many examples in English of uncommon constructions where nouns that are usually (or almost always) countable can be used in an uncountable sense, and vice versa. This happens to be one of them. The uncountable sense is eased here by the use of the word "through". You can't just omit articles willy-nilly, and say, for example, "In church we sang hymn". The sentence structure has...http://www.englishforums.com/English/QuestionsArticleAdjectivePhrase-Formation/jbwjw/post.htm#759416Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:22:38 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:759416anonymousHi. Would you kindly tell me how this can be possible as you said? I think most nouns are either countable or uncountable nouns with some nouns having both characteristics (if I am not mistaken). and the words 'hymn" and "lament" seem to be countable nouns. You wrote as part of your (overall) responses: 1. It's unusual, but possible. The sentence you quote is acceptable in my opinion.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatKindOfAndWhatKindsOf/jrhdk/post.htmFri, 29 May 2009 07:00:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:753773anonymousHello, The grammar book I have says that both of the two phrases, or "what kind of" and "what kinds of," are acceptable in the case where countable nouns are followed by them. In daily conversation, however, which do you prefer to use, between "what kind of " and "what kinds of"? E.g. What kind of books do you read? or What kinds of books do you read? Do you consciously choose any of the two phrases? Thank you.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AidSingNounsSpecifySing/wmxhk/post.htm#731315Fri, 15 May 2009 14:29:04 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:731315cliveHi, is my sentence: "The aid she chooses are games and activities that use the board." My question is: I'm using aid as an uncountable noun here and then I enumerate two other nouns, i.e. games and activities so I use the verb are and not is . Is it correct? Or, perhaps, should I use the noun aid as a perfectly countable noun, given the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary definition number 4. that is aid = sth that you use to help you do sth . In this case the noun is countable. So, should I write: "The aid s she chooses are games and activities that use the board." Yes, say this. Please give me an advice, You can't count 'advice'. Say 'Please give me some...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AidSingNounsSpecifySing/wmxhk/post.htmFri, 15 May 2009 14:16:55 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:731299anonymousHello everyone! This is my sentence: "The aid she chooses are games and activities that use the board." My question is: I'm using aid as an uncountable noun here and then I enumerate two other nouns, i.e. games and activities so I use the verb are and not is . Is it correct? Or, perhaps, should I use the noun aid as a perfectly countable noun, given the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary definition number 4. that is aid = sth that you use to help you do sth . In this case the noun is countable. So, should I write: "The aid s she chooses are games and activities that use the board." Please give me an advice, I'm not sure which sentence sounds more natural in English formal language. Thank you...http://www.englishforums.com/English/Urgent/wkvdv/post.htm#719248Thu, 07 May 2009 00:32:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:719248mister micawber. Is it true that 'few' and 'little' mean the same more or less and few is used with countable nouns and little is used with uncountables?-- Yes: I have few friends and less money. 'Some' works with both countables and uncountables: T here were some bottles on the table. There was some water on the floor. .http://www.englishforums.com/English/Urgent/wkvdv/post.htmWed, 06 May 2009 14:33:34 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:718509anonymousHi! Is it true that 'few' and 'little' mean the same more or less and few is used with countable nouns and little is used with uncountables? Please tell me about the usage of these words!! and what about some? which one is correct? 'You will find some bottles on the table.' or ' You will find some bottle on the table' can we say that "There were some water on the floor." ?? I'm in need of help! thanks in advancehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Grammar/wjwcr/post.htm#714864Mon, 04 May 2009 13:32:08 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:714864mr wordyFor countable nouns ("car", "tree", "house" etc.), use "a lot of" or "lots of" followed by the plural of the noun: "There were a lot of cars" "There were lots of cars" -- more informal Uncountable nouns ("sugar", "water", "sunshine" etc.) don't have a plural, so use "a lot of" or "lots of" followed by the singular: "There was a lot of sugar" "There was lots of sugar" -- more informal "Paper" is one of those nouns that can be used in both the countable and uncountable sense: "There were a lot of papers." -- a lot of pieces of paper with...http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfTheWordsMoreAndMuch/whcqj/post.htmMon, 27 Apr 2009 05:58:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:703418anonymousHi. Can we use the word "more" with both uncountable and countable nouns? I think we use the word "many" with countable nouns and the word "much" for uncountable nouns. more happiness/money more pens and pencils Can we add the word "much" to that too? He wants much more money (happiness?). He wants much more pens and pencils than what he had last time.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhatKindsOfCats/wgmrn/post.htm#701140Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:51:02 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:701140tony mountifieldSo I repeat my question. Which usage is correct: "how many breeds of dog are there?" or "how many breeds of dogs are there?"? In English English, for a start, and preferably with quotations (of either form) from well-respected literature. Well to my ears the former sounds correct. But in the absence of well- respected literature, I did a Google search for "kinds of" (including the quotes, to keep it as a phrase). Surprisingly (to me), in the first several pages of results, countable nouns were pluralised, almost without exception. Cheers Tony Tony Mountifieldhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PleaseCorrectShortText/wzgcj/post.htmSun, 05 Apr 2009 10:09:49 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:694510nellishaNormal 0 21 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The main issues that the work is dealing with are countability and uncountable nouns in the English and Slovak languages. The work is a comparative analysis of these two morphological systems in terms of countability and the category of number, which is closely connected with this problem. The work analyses the notions of countability and uncountable nouns, points out differences in the number systems of the Slovak and English languages, analyses the situations in which countability can be changed and the grammatical phenomenon which are influenced by countability. It is dealing with nouns with dual membership (which can be countable or uncountable), countable/uncountable...http://www.englishforums.com/English/SwimmingPoolASwimmingPool/wbkjc/post.htm#676144Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:12:34 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:676144kooyeenHi, what is it that you are having trouble with? Articles? Would you say "I want banana" or "I want a banana"? You need to understand how to use articles, and to understand that, you need to know the difference between countable nouns and uncountable nouns. Do you know that already? Countable: One banana, two bananas, three bananas... You can count the items. I want banana. NO! I want a banana. I want bananas. Uncountable: One water, two waters, three waters... NO! There are no items to count. There is an amount of a substance (like water, air, etc.) I need water. I need a water. NO! I need waters. N O ! Now, can you guess which options are correct in your sentence, and why?http://www.englishforums.com/English/KnoweldgeKnowledgeBreakfastBreakfast/wrcdw/post.htmTue, 10 Feb 2009 10:22:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:668805magic79Hi, With countable nouns we use a/an, but with uncountable nouns we use nothing or THE. Examples: countable nouns - a book (one book) - an apple (one apple) uncountable nouns: - knowledge or the knowledge - information or the information but sometimes I see what looks like an exception to the rule above. Examples: - I had breakfast this morning. - I had a good breakfast this morning. - He will have good knowledge of print papers. - He has a good knowledge of grammar. - police detectives had good knowledge of these groups So why would we have to use the article "a" with uncountable nouns here? This is baffling.http://www.englishforums.com/English/CheckForMePlease/hpbxl/post.htmSat, 31 Jan 2009 13:02:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:658880kittixayNormal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE TH Present Simple Tense - In case of preceded by the third person singular, the verb that changes in form is Verb to be and Verb to have - In case we add es is the verb that ends in S, SS, Ch, Sh, O, X - In case of the verb that ends in y, we change y into ies Modal Verbs : May-might, Can-could, Will-would, Shall-should, Must. If these verbs are preceded by the third person singular, don’t conjugate it and don’t use the preposition "to" - Besides these four captions above, if the verb is preceded by the third person singular just add S. - Present Simple...http://www.englishforums.com/English/FewerOrLessAndIsOrAre/hxkxd/post.htm#656614Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:03:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:656614avangiHi Mach 2, thanks for joining us. Welcome to English Forums! We like to talk about countable and uncountable nouns. (Sometimes a given noun may act one way at one time and the other way at another time.) Both types could involve scalar quantities. For example, "rice" is an uncountable noun. "Please put some rice in my bowl." If you wish to measure the rice, then the unit of measure becomes the countable noun. I have only three grains of rice. I wish to buy five pounds of rice. The recipe calls for one cup of rice. One cup of water is all I need. This is tricky, because you may also say "Two cups of water is all I need," because you're talking about the amount of the uncountable substance....http://www.englishforums.com/English/SoFineWeather/hjkqb/post.htm#632052Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:01:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:632052califjimso and such are used in a variety of patterns. so is an adverb of degree, or a "degree item", so it's used to modify adjectives and adverbs. so many, so much, so little, so few, so happy, so happily, so simple, so simply, so polite, so politely such is adjectival, and it goes with nouns. such weather, such things, such happiness, such simplicity, such courtesy Use such a for the singular of countable nouns. ( such a thing, such a complicated rule ) The parsing of your examples goes thus: ( so many ) (people) ( such ) (fine weather ) Note the following: The weather is so fine that we'd like to go out. And: I don't understand such things. I can't understand why so many things bother him. Peter writes so...http://www.englishforums.com/English/UncountableNounConceptTurningInto-Types/hwvdq/post.htmMon, 29 Dec 2008 01:00:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:625174anonymousHi, I think, In a learner's dictionaries, we often seem to encounter terms like "uncountable nouns"," countable nouns", "variable nouns" and "mass nouns". I think I learned that in order to turn such uncountable nouns that denote some what temporary emotions like "happiness", we seem to make use of the concept of "types." I think a mass noun like "detergent" is countable when cast into types but a variable noun like "discussion" is countable when cast into examples or instances . So, when a person wants to turn uncountable nouns like "happiness" countable, the"type" concept is almost always, if not always, used, and not (necessarily?)...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhichFormShouldITake/hwcdl/post.htm#624687Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:18:23 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:624687icadiaI would like to extend my thanks to Mister Micawber. However, I have some more questions. Do you mean it’s possible that we can use “effort” in the context ? and that will make no difference? Studying English, I have seen a lot of nouns that can be either countable or uncountable. It also is true I have some problems in using them. Do you mean all the nouns just depend on speakers? Or only some of them (such as effot) can be speakers’ choice? I am still in chaos.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheDifferenceEachPairSentences/hhklg/post.htmFri, 26 Dec 2008 08:24:56 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:622121icadia-I got some advice -I got a piece of advice. -there was lightning -there was a flash of lightning. -I heard some news. -I heard one piece of news. could you tell me the difference -if it exists - in the pairs of sentences? these sentence are from my book. all nouns above are uncountable nouns. I guess each pair of sentences has a similar meaning, but if there is a subtle difference, let me know please. I think each noun in the first sentences is used as an uncountable noun in itself, however the noun in the second sentences is used a little like a countable noun by the structure "OF" although they are still uncountable nouns. am I thinking right?http://www.englishforums.com/English/CountableUncountableNouns/hzqnj/post.htmThu, 18 Dec 2008 12:24:54 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:614066anonymousWhy in English the words "morning," "afternoon," and "evening" are all countable nouns, but not the word "dusk"? What if I really need to count it in doing translation?http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheFormNounsAfterOtherOther/hzmgd/post.htmWed, 17 Dec 2008 06:58:06 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:612785icadiaStartFragment > Please understand my poor english. It's extremely confusing me now. I could get some examples about the subject from Longman contemporary english dictionary. 1. You'd better change into some other clothes. 2. Can we discuss this some other time ? 3. Saudi Arabia produces more oil than any other country. In no1, a plural noun, "clothes" is used after some other. In no2, an uncountable noun “time" is used. In the other sentence, a countable noun is used. I am really wondering which forms are possible after “some other", "any other" I've already referred to dictionaries, but I feel that they aren't helpful as much as I expected. would it be helpful to...http://www.englishforums.com/English/Form/hzbmx/post.htmThu, 11 Dec 2008 01:06:15 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:609719anonymousI think the words such as 'form', 'type' and 'sort' tend to negate the need to have an article before the noun that follows it. a form of human being a type of pen a sort of animal The nouns that followed the phrases 'a form', ' a type', and 'a sort' are believed to be countable nouns and due to the existence of those phrases, the need to have articles have been null (?) or has been removed. Now, look at these please. I believe I used this phrase to ask a question before. ... the particular form of service Here, the word 'service' is countable I think and since we have the phrase 'the particular form', the need to place an article before the word 'service' has...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AAnAndTheUsage/hdrqh/post.htm#599816Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:40:08 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:599816mister micawber. It is possible if 'Telecom' is the name of the company -- ' I started working at Telecom Company , Ltd -- but more likely the article is just unstressed and difficult to perceive. A or an is used before all singular countable nouns except those preceded by demonstrative adjectives ( this, that ) and possessive adjectives ( his, my , etc.) .http://www.englishforums.com/English/AAnAndTheUsage/hdrqh/post.htmSun, 30 Nov 2008 08:53:40 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:599665sunsailHi, I know that "a" and "an" are used for countable nouns to tell one piece of item."the" is used for to tell one particular item.I wonder whether I have to use "a" or "an"? for instance, I started working at telecom company I started working at a telecom company which one is correct or in the meaning what makes difference? Thanks