Questions tagged [countable-nouns]
Countable nouns can be modified by a quantity.
205
questions
0
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1answer
22 views
is opportunity countable or non-countable?
I want to use the phrase "plenty of opportunities" in my essay, but I'm not sure whether opportunity is countable or not. Some people say that the phrase "plenty of opportunity" is ...
0
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0answers
19 views
a + adjective + “many” + of the + plural noun
(Countable noun) [a + adjective + ~ + of the + plural noun] a large number of persons
or things:
A good many of the beggars were blind.
https://www.wordreference.com/definition/many
Is the plural ...
0
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0answers
38 views
Singular / plural form of the noun ‘type’ (meaning printed letters or typeface) – what are the rules?
When is the noun type (meaning typeface or text set in type) used in singular form and when is it used in plural form?
Is it referred to as a singulare tantum?
In which case is it an uncountable noun ...
1
vote
0answers
35 views
“Two additional days” but “an additional two weeks” [closed]
[Google ngrams]
I'd like to know what are the grammatical differences between both structures, as well as one or the other predominates for days and weeks.
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Mass noun Question: “survival”(uncountable) , “struggle(countable)”
generally "survival" is uncountable, however "struggle" is countable. In my guess and definitions in dictionaries "survival" is a state and continuing sense. struggle is ...
0
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1answer
55 views
Are there one or more words that take only a singular form? [duplicate]
In a Cambridge dictionary, it distinguishes a singular form from a countable form, but, in an Oxford dictionary, it only says the word is uncountable or countable.
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Using “one” with nouns whose countability is ambiguous
An ESL student produced the following sentence:
“The Western diet seems to be more unhealthy than the Japanese one.”
The use of “one” immediately struck me as awkward, but not necessarily incorrect, ...
0
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0answers
41 views
Is it correct to say we have five sense organs?
There is a difference in type of something and actual number of that thing as per my understanding.
Saying, we have five senses or five kinds of sense organs is okay, but when I say we have five ...
0
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0answers
21 views
Restrictions on ranges indicated by quantifiers in count usages
I've a query regarding common quantifiers used with count usages. I've searched in various resources such as online dictionaries, but I couldn't find out the fruitful solution.
Here is the problem:
...
0
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1answer
218 views
You need rest vs You need a rest
Literally as above, I encountered those sentences in my reading.
I wonder about difference between them.
Is 'You need a rest' a more emphatic suggestion than 'You need rest' in spoken English? As I ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Does the structure “an example of” take a plural or a singular noun or both?
For instance, are the following sentences grammatical, and do they mean the same thing or have different meanings?
1. Cheese is an example of protien-rich food.
2. Cheese is an example of a protein-...
0
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0answers
28 views
Do you find “only belongings of somebody” a little bit wierd?
In the sentence below, do you think it is weird to say "only belongings" for "belongings" is a collective noun.
The angry mob destroyed the man's only belongings.
0
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2answers
90 views
Countable uncountable noun vs always singular noun
I always refer to LDOCE for definitions of words. There is additional info on the senses there. That's why I love it. But, I am still deeply confused with these noun classifications; countable ...
0
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0answers
32 views
Is “foreshadowing” a countable noun or uncountable noun?
In my book review, I want to express that "I find well-plotted foreshadowings, which indicate the inevitable tragedy". Is it correct or not?
By the way, should I use the word "indicate"?
0
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3answers
45 views
Is it okay to use the word “freedoms” in the following sentence or should I use the word “freedom”?
The laws in our country that restrict our freedoms are not legislated by evil politicians.
2
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1answer
37 views
Why do I need “a” in “a mere 5 percent”?
Examples (https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mere)
Sixty per cent of teachers are women, but a mere 5 percent of women are heads and deputies.
Tickets are a mere £7.50 at the door.
...
0
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2answers
88 views
skin as a countable noun example
Could you please write an example where skin would be used as a countable noun?
I have just learned that it can be used both as a countable and an uncountable noun.
Thank you.
3
votes
3answers
102 views
In the following sentence, shouldn't “family” take its plural form?
Here is an excerpt from IELTS OG.:
For example, when my cousins were backpacking around the world, they were able to reassure their family and friends that....
I find the use of family in its ...
1
vote
0answers
41 views
Is it idiomatic to say “there are 5 Japanese tofus on the dish” to mean “there are 5 pieces of Japanese tofu on the dish”?
When you look for an English noun in an English dictionary, sometimes you see the noun being used as an uncountable and a countable noun. And normally, we use it as an uncountable noun when we want to ...
0
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0answers
50 views
Couture and canapé are just another Saturday night until you add a mask. [Why the singular 'canapé'?]
In an American TV show called 'Gossip Girl', here's a narration by Gossip Girl herself (YouTube video):
Long ago, when European royals grew bored with palace balls they took a page from the peons, ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Coffee or coffees in this context? [closed]
In the morning, most sales are coffees and pastries.
Coffee can be used as a countable or an uncountable noun. So what should I choose in this sentence?
1
vote
2answers
60 views
Meaning of velocity - mass noun vs countable noun
Dictionary entries like https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/velocity?q=velocity state that velocity can be a mass noun or a countable noun. What is the difference between the ...
-2
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2answers
104 views
When is the word “Departure” countable or uncountable? [closed]
When is "Departure" a countable usage and when is it not?
1
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2answers
263 views
How is 'fixture' a count-noun when 'furniture' is a mass noun?
Fixture is defined in the LEXICO Dictionary as:
A piece of equipment or furniture which is fixed in position in a building or vehicle.
Here're a couple examples from the dictionary:
Cathedral ...
1
vote
1answer
193 views
“Weigh benefit(s) against risk(s)”
Both nouns can be either a count noun or a mass noun. I think individually benefit tends to be used countably more than it appears as a mass noun.
We list the potential benefits (count) of a thing. ...
1
vote
2answers
332 views
How to treat a plural count noun?
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (Page 335) says:
A count noun denotes a class of individuated entities of the same kind. Boy, for example, denotes the class of boys. The individual ...
0
votes
1answer
153 views
around town or around towns? [closed]
"Recently, many housing estates around town have seen a dip in home valuations."
This is the first sentence of an article. Is it because town has a specific meaning so singular form (uncountable) is ...
0
votes
1answer
758 views
Traffic or Traffic jam which is countable [closed]
Why is 'traffic' an uncountable noun while 'traffic jam' is a countable noun?
I have asked many people and also googled but didn't get a satisfactory answer
2
votes
1answer
239 views
Can the grammar terms, the words 'subject' and 'object', be used as uncountable nouns?
I thought the grammar terms such as 'subject' and 'object' were countable. But I notice that they can sometimes be used without any determiner.
For example, here's the first sentence of a linguistics ...
2
votes
3answers
126 views
Are mental illnesses countable?
I know that the correct phrasing for this sentence is, but I don't know why.
Many of the volunteers had already shown some early signs of mental illness.
Since the illness is unspecified, shouldn'...
3
votes
1answer
981 views
“An accuracy”, “the accuracy”, “accuracies”, or just “accuracy”
I have been having difficulting using the word "accuracy" and I am not sure how to add an article before "accuracy". The sentence I am trying to write is "To guarantee accuracy, we ...".
I looked up ...
-4
votes
1answer
80 views
Is it really correct to say that some nouns are countable and others are uncountable?
It is generally accepted practice in linguistics that common nouns are classified into count nouns (aka, countable nouns) and non-count nouns (aka, uncountable nouns or mass nouns).
For example, in ...
2
votes
1answer
822 views
Can “enemy” be used as a plural noun? (Not as a collective noun)
I’ve been recently told that defeat five enemy or ten enemy are here
is perfectly acceptable in English grammar.
Personally, I’m inclined to believe that only five enemies or five
enemy units are ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Is the word 'mistake' a concrete or abstract noun? [duplicate]
According to Answers.com:
The word mistake is an abstract noun, a word for an error in action or judgement.
Is this correct?
Then, why does it act like concrete nouns such as 'car' when it comes to ...
3
votes
1answer
550 views
Is “the most amount of {countable things}” ever an acceptable replacement for “the greatest amount of {countable things}”?
A recent BBC article reads in part,
Yellowstone officials say bison can run up to 30mph (50km/h) and are the animal responsible for the most amount of injuries within the park.
The phrase “the ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Why “attention to detail” over “attention to details”
Why are people more likely to say "attention to detail" over "attention to details"?
I understand both are grammatically correct. But what slight difference between them, if there is any, makes it ...
-1
votes
1answer
96 views
'Too much' with countable noun [closed]
He has too much friend.
Is this correct?
If so, what is rule for using much for countable noun or should I use many instead?
Please clarify.
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Why do Americans say “less than five people”? [duplicate]
I thought "people" is countable, so we should say "fewer than five people"?
Being in the US for many years, I rarely hear people saying "fewer than," even with countable nouns like "people."
I ...
2
votes
3answers
146 views
Can “Targetings” be a plural form of “Targeting” as a noun?
I understand words like "surrounding" can be "surroundings", or "binding" can be "bindings".
But is it appropriate with "targeting" as a noun?
Here is a recent headline - "UN chief calls for probe ...
0
votes
1answer
158 views
In 'one-way communication' is 'communication' a countable or uncountable noun usage?
I was wondering whether 'communication' in the phrase (collocation) 'one-way communication' is a countable or uncountable usage. I've seen both usages (e.g. The Guardian leaning more towards ...
2
votes
2answers
98 views
Why does the word “shop” behave like a non-count noun in phrases like “set up shop”?
The word "shop" seems to behave like a non-count noun in phrases like "set up shop", "shut up shop" and "close up shop". There's no article ("a"), no plural ending ("-s"). Dictionaries, such as Oxford ...
0
votes
1answer
220 views
Countable and Uncountable Nouns in a List [duplicate]
Since "information" is an uncountable-noun and "references" is a countable noun, which sentence is correct?
Please let me know if any additional information or references are needed.
Please let ...
1
vote
5answers
170 views
Why do U.S. Americans say “a good value” (using indefinite article “a”)
Take this example from the Airbnb website: "What would have made this listing a better value?"
This souds absolutely horrible and incorrect to my Australian ears (I would omit the "a"). I've also ...
1
vote
2answers
122 views
What meaning of/phrase based on the verb to call is used in “I call [noun]” (for instance bull****) and considerations with count nouns?
Sometimes you hear people say something like "I call [noun]", mostly with bullshit ("I call bullshit"; and there's also a question on the site with shenanigans). It feels like an opinionated statement ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Is “you have so many double standards” idiomatic and if not, why and what would be?
The noun double standard is countable. Looking at some ngram you can see the plural form used for titles (to mean something like the topic of...) or when there's a number preceding it (i.e. referring ...
2
votes
3answers
139 views
Since 'few' is used for countable nouns and 'less' is for uncountable nouns
Since 'few' is used for countable things and 'Less' is for uncountable things then why do we say;
I have less than 2 days/months/years.
?
Yes, time is an uncountable concept but we sure can count ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Translation, rotation, scalation?
I'm programming a math library and it never ocurred to me before now that most mathematicians say "translation, rotation, scale" to refer to these transformations. Problems arise when I want to ...
23
votes
9answers
8k views
Why is it correct to say “fewer calories” when calories are continuous? [duplicate]
This question, "Discrete Units of a Continuous Quantity", asks whether units of a continuous quantity should be spoken of as discrete or continuous.
The top answer states
The rule is simple,...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Question on “work” follows with a verb
I am writing to inquire the correctness of the following sentence:
both work rely on this technique
Or
both work relies on this technique.
While the first one seems more grammarly correct, I do ...
-2
votes
1answer
70 views
Is “…taken to be scholarly authority” missing a preposition or an article?
The sentence is from Harold Bloom's book Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human.
This chronology, necessarily tentative, partly follows what is generally taken to be scholarly authority.
I find ...
