Questions tagged [countable-nouns]
Countable nouns can be modified by a quantity.
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Single noun as a concept instead of an object
I've been hearing these sentences since I started listening to podcasts, typically from elite intellectuals. Does this grammatical construct have a name, and where does it come from?
The grammar is ...
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When can we omit the article in front of a countable word in singular? [migrated]
In the sentence below, there is no "the" in front of former President. I am wondering what is the grammar rule for that?
Under Smith and his successor, Douglas, Canada sought closer trade ...
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type of apple vs type of apples [duplicate]
There are 4 types of apples: sweet, sour, spicy, and tangy. Referring to the sweet type
This type of apple is prevalent in northern regions.
This type of apples is prevalent in northern regions.
...
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Which is the more idiomatic: equivalence/equivalencies or equivalency/equivalences?
Most articles show the plural form of equivalence as equivalences. The wikipedia on logical equivalence uses this form.
However, I feel like I have seen equivalencies used in contexts like mathematics ...
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Detail (countable) vs detail (uncountable) vs details (plural only)
I feel like I almost grasp the fine differences between detail (countable), detail (uncountable) and details (plural only), but just almost. It's still a little difficult to spontaneously know which ...
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Countable synonyms for "prey"?
Even though the word prey is used as an opposite of predator, the former not as grammatically versatile as the latter, in terms of number:
A predator is ambushing its prey.
A prey (?) is being ...
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Treating the word "grammar" in proper grammar
Driving down the road I saw a state sign that was written poorly. I said, “That’s a bad grammar.’
My wife was offended I said “a” grammar.
I can’t find an answer to see if what I said is acceptable. ...
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What stops demonyms like "British" or "Portuguese" being regular count nouns like "German" or "Armenian"?
In English there is a very notable asymmetry between demonyms ending in -ese and -ish and other demonyms. The latter can be used as a regular count noun, but the former are almost always restricted to ...
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How do we count "gales"
I'm wondering how we can actually count "gales". When do we use the singular form and when do we use the plural form?
Here're two examples I've found:
Hundreds of old trees were blown down ...
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Is "many" grammatically viable in front of plural-only nouns?
There are certain nouns in English that are plural only and have no singular equivalents. Some such as trousers, scissors, pajamas, pantyhose, shears, binoculars, headphones, etc. can be singularized ...
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Using “more” with both countable and uncountable nouns
The rules for using “less” or “ fewer” are clear (although often abused):
I have less money than you. (Uncountable noun)
I have fewer bank notes than you. (Countable noun)
Why then, is there no ...
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"run for presidency" or "run for the presidency"
I have a question about "run for presidency"/"run for the presidency"
(in this case, it's about a presidential election)
He will run for the presidency.
He will run for presidency....
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4
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"Resources" as an uncountable noun?
Which of the following is better:
How many resources (such as data and computation) are necessary to complete the process?
How much resources (such as data and computation) are necessary to complete ...
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Can every noun be both countable and uncountable? [closed]
I think every noun can be uncountable. It's easy to prove with food:
Mother beaver teaches her daughter to cook a salad: Now, add some table to taste.
In this context the countable noun table became ...
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executive secretary [duplicate]
When I look up my dictionaries for 'executive secretary', I found the below 2 examples:
She’s executive secretary to New York University’s president.
He was executive secretary of the NAACP.
I have 3 ...
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