Inspired by: "Functionality" rather than "function"?
I want to know if "functionality" is the correct word, in the context of:
Fast forward and other functionality may not be available...
Notes:
However according to dictionary.com the plural is "functionalities", but as a native English speaker the "correct" sentence sounds more awkward to my ears:
Fast forward and other functionalities may not be available...
I would assume that it's referencing definition #2 which is "a function or a range of functions in a computer" which in that case, would make it a mass noun, right?
functionality - From (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/functionality?s=t) *You have to scroll down a bit.
/ˌfʌŋkʃənˈælɪtɪ/
noun (pl) -ities
- the quality of being functional
- (computing) a function or range of functions in a computer, program, package, etc
The Cambridge dictionary (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/business-english/functionality) offers more hints, indicating that "functionality" is either countable OR uncountable (mass noun). It then proceeds to use an example where the form is uncountable.
So when would you use "functionalities"? In common usage I hear "functionality" as a mass noun all the time, but never the pluralization.