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Morr Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

(A) cologne/perfume

Hello, Is "perfume" and "cologne" countable/uncountable"?

He was wearing a cologne.
She was wearing a perfume.
He was wearing cologne.
She was wearing a perfume.

It appears that they can function as both countable/uncountable, and the indefinite article is optional. Is that right?
  

Top answer

My take on this is that the words are non-countable, unless modified. He is wearing cologne. ~ He is wearing a cologne that is too strong.

— Philip

  • My take on this is that the words are non-countable, unless modified.
  • He is wearing cologne.
  • ~ He is wearing a cologne that is too strong.
  • ~ She has many colognes to choose from.
  • [ note: I am excluding possessives (his, her) as 'modification'.
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5 Answers
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My take on this is that the words are non-countable, unless modified. He is wearing cologne. ~ He is wearing a cologne that is too strong. ~ She has many colognes to choose from. [ note: I am excluding possessives (his, her) as 'modification'. ]
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Thanks, Philip. So is it wrong to say:

I bought a cologne yesterday.

To me I bought a bottle of cologne, not just "some" cologne.
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I don't mean to bump this, but can anyone kindly give me so more info on that cologne question?
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Correct: I bought a bottle of cologne (just like a bottle of milk); some cologne.
Incorrect: I bought a cologne.
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Thank you, Philip.
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