Search results for 'tag:Nouns tag:Countable or uncountable' matching tags 'Nouns' and 'Countable or uncountable'

Re: variable noun

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:12:00 GMT

Thank you so much for much help again.

I think what you said here, "... but your expectation must prove true" is very strong a recommendation. Are you saying it is our obligation of a good writer to have his message/statement, which contains one or more variable nouns, ring true to them? What if not, does he/she has to bear consequences? What possible consequences? Called a bad writer? Recognized as someone without a full grasp of the grammar knowledge involved? What else?

You wrote:

Should I expect concurrence from the readers of my text? Even without the nodding in agreement for the type of word usage I alluded to, could I comfortably decide for myself to use either a countable or uncountable version of a variable noun?-- that is one mark of a successful writer, but your expectation must prove true

Re: variable noun

Mister Micawber — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:51:20 GMT

.

I think the word 'perceive' can be said to be 'become aware', then if I perceive (become aware) in terms of individual instances and example IN MY MIND, that fact alone will be sufficient ground for using the countable version of the words 'discussion' and 'behavior'?-- Probably

I think the 'discussions' in Ms. Myer's sentences could be replaced by 'discussion' without any noticeable difference. I don't understand the basis for her choosing to use 'discussions'. I think I have seen this type of choices being made the way she did in many situations, perhaps too numerous to indicate, but why one chooses one over the other is what I am seeking an answer to. Help.-- see your own comment above.

Should I expect concurrence from the readers of my text? Even without the nodding in agreement for the type of word usage I alluded to, could I comfortably decide for myself to use either a countable or uncountable version of a variable noun?-- that is one mark of a successful writer, but your expectation must prove true

I don't think it should be a unilateral decision and there has to be something more to consider when making a decision of this sort. Can you help?-- As above

...

Hi, this has been confusing me for a long time. I would like some help. Thank you. If I am thinking of individual instances or examples, can I use 'discussions' and possibly other countable versions of a variable noun?-- Probably

Gentlemen, we had a good deal of discussion (thinking conceptually??) on this matter and I think it is the time we wrap the discussions (thinking it in terms of instances?) up. I must say the discussions (past time reference??) we had thus far have been fruitful but I am afraid more discussion (thinking conceptually - good?) is needed although I don't foresee many discussions (instances for sure, I think) follow to clear the doubts. -- Fine
.

Re: variable noun

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:40:43 GMT

Hi,

I think the word 'perceive' can be said to be 'become aware', then if I perceive (become aware) in terms of individual instances and example IN MY MIND, that fact alone will be sufficient ground for using the countable version of the words 'discussion' and 'behavior'?

I think the 'discussions' in Ms. Myer's sentences could be replaced by 'discussion' without any noticeable difference. I don't understand the basis for her choosing to use 'discussions'. I think I have seen this type of choices being made the way she did in many situations, perhaps too numerous to indicate, but why one chooses one over the other is what I am seeking an answer to. Help.

Should I expect concurrence from the readers of my text? Even without the nodding in agreement for the type of word usage I alluded to, could I comfortably decide for myself to use either a countable or uncountable version of a variable noun?

I don't think it should be a unilateral decision and there has to be something more to consider when making a decision of this sort. Can you help?

comma usage and another

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:11:02 GMT

Hi,

I see some sentences with commas like these. Are they correct?

Chances are, it is the latter.
The point is, he didn't do it.

Why not?
Chances are that it is the latter.
The point is that he didn't do it.

2. Is the word 'light' countable here. Can the adjective 'first' come before both a countable or uncountable noun?

... worked from the first light of dawn till ...

Re: subject verb agreement ^^

Avangi — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:46:43 GMT

they bring         news is

laptops are       she brings

laptops are        they bring

There's an "understood" which she brings. This relative clause takes the pronoun out of contention for subject of the sentence, since it is instead subject of "brings" in the clause. The clause modifies "news."

shorts are

pair is    (one pair)

pairs are      What do you mean by "one noun"?   In "pair of shorts," "shorts" is object of the preposition, and not part of the simple subject. The prepositional phrase then modifies "pair."

music and writing are          her talent lies     OR her talents lie   (talent may be countable or uncountable)

no effort!

Once you identify the verb, think a little bit about what the subject really is   -   what/who is performing that exact action, etc.

Edit. Kooyeen's "music and writing is" raises a thorny problem. I'm not sure of the solution.

Where did you do your undergraduate work? (reply) Harvard and Yale. / I did it at Harvard and Yale. / Harvard and Yale is /are where I did my undergraduate work.

Re: I will go for washroom afterwards

Jackson6612 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:40:45 GMT

Grammar Geek

While a lot of food does have an uncountable sense (I like beef, I like watermelon), I don't find that "apple" is often use that way. If it were, you final Jane line would be "I love to eat apple", not apples.
When it is used as uncountable, it seems to be used more in the sense of flavor: You're eating a slice of pie and say "Oh, I can taste berries... and ... is that apple? Yes, I can taste apple and berries and a hint of lemon!"

However, you certainly get the countable/uncountable difference. And since you do, why did you think that "three washrooms" wasn't using washroom as a countable noun?

Hi Barbara,

I believe you meant to say foods. Right?

I was wrong then. Now it's obvious to me that washroom was used as a countable noun.

Can you do me two favors, please? First, please check the below Analysis for any mistakes. Second, please check my second post on the following page:
http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyNoArticleHere/ggjmr/post.htm. I'm kinda stuck there.

Apple can either be countable or uncountable noun.

Analysis:

Jack: What did you eat?
Jane: I ate an apple.

Jane used apple as a countable noun. Jane would not say the apple because there was no need to restrict apple

Jack: Where did you get it from?
Jane: I ate the apple that was on the table.

Jane still used apple an a countable noun but now she used article the because she had to specify that where she got it from. So, she restricted that apple using the.

Jack: There were many apples on the table. How many did you eat?
Jane: I ate three apples.

Jane still used apple as a countable noun. She used three to denote the quantity of apples she ate. In a way three also restricted apple.

Jack: I think you really like apples.
Jane: I love to eat apples.

Both, Jack and Jane, used apple as an uncountable noun and there was no article used in front of apples because articles a or an cannot be used with an uncountable noun and there was no need to restrict apples using article the.

Is my analysis correct?

Re: I will go for washroom afterwards

Jackson6612 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:27:57 GMT

Grammar Geek

I ate an apple. I ate the apple that was on the table. I ate three apples.

Do you really think the last one is wrong because "apple" is a countable noun? What role does "three" tell you in that sentence?

Apple can either be countable or uncountable noun.

Analysis:

Jack: What did you eat?
Jane: I ate an apple.

Jane used apple as a countable noun. Jane would not say the apple because there was no need to restrict apple

Jack: Where did you get it from?
Jane: I ate the apple that was on the table.

Jane still used apple an a countable noun but now she used article the because she had to specify that where she got it from. So, she restricted that apple using the.

Jack: There were many apples on the table. How many did you eat?
Jane: I ate three apples.

Jane still used apple as a countable noun. She used three to denote the quantity of apples she ate. In a way three also restricted apple.

Jack: I think you really like apples.
Jane: I love to eat apples.

Both, Jack and Jane, used apple as an uncountable noun and there was no article used in front of apples because articles a or an cannot be used with an uncountable noun and there was no need to restrict apples using article the.

Is my analysis correct?

Re: Plural-meaning nouns

Mister Micawber — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:47:59 GMT

.
These words function differently.

Youth and membership can be countable or uncountable nouns:

Youth is carefree.
There is a youth / There are three youths standing on the corner.
Membership is free.
I have had a membership / They have had their memberships since 1984.

Crowd and host, like group and team, can be considered as a single unit or as a lot of people. All can modify both countables and uncountables:

(All) the crowd/group/team/host is restless.
(All) the crowd/group/team/host are arguing among themselves.

People is the plural of person, but is singular when discussing ethnicities:

There is a person / There are three people in the closet.
The peoples of India are legion.
.

Re: of / from the shark

Avangi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:53:18 GMT

New2grammar
Avangi
No one could fault that!
What do you mean?

The verb "to fault" is the transitive form of the noun, "my fault."

No one could find fault with your sentence = No one could fault your sentence. The noun is countable or uncountable. "Find fault" is an idiom, meaning "to criticize."

Re: Is this sentence correct

Mr Wordy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:43:19 GMT

wholegrain
When we use a singular noun to refer to many instances of the thing we are referring to (or to use for the entire class of such things), it may be uncountable and countable still depending on the definition we use of the word in question?

I'm not sure if you're asking whether the same noun that refers to many instances or a general class can be either countable or uncountable, or whether you're talking about different nouns. In the latter case yes. For example, "traffic" is uncountable; "flock" (of birds) is countable. In the former case, potentially also yes, but examples are harder to think of. "Population" is the best candidate I can come up with right now.

wholegrain
For instance man would be uncountable as it may refer to mankind, therefore it doesn't take any article.

That's correct. If "man" (often "Man") means "mankind" then it is uncountable and does not take an article.

wholegrain
However, in the case of church or state, they always take an article, because of their definition: their definitions making them countable and not uncountable?

"church" meaning the building is countable and takes an article ("I live opposite a church"). "church" can be uncountable, with no article, in the sense I illustrated before.

"state" is normally countable.

"the state" and "the church" (sometimes capitalised as "the State" or "the Church") can also be used in the abstract sense of "the institution". For example:

They can do this because the State decrees it so.

This is a grey area to me in terms as far as terminology is concerned. I'm not sure if "State" here would be classed as a countable noun, or whether it falls outside the countable/uncountable noun classification system.