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Niue Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
• a mail vs. a package
Hi! I read the following in a TOEIC book:
“52. There is a ______ for Ms. Williams in the mailbox.
(A) lot
(B) mail
(C) bunch
(D) package
(Answer: D)” ((Step up TOEIC Bridge Intermediate, p. 282))
I agree with the above book that D is the only correct answer.
Let me explain the reason:
‘mail’ is always used as an uncountable noun, so the indefinite article ‘a’ can NOT be used before ‘mail. However, ‘package’ is always used as a countable noun, so the indefinite article ‘a’ CAN be used before ‘package’.
What do you think of my explanation? Am I wrong?
“52. There is a ______ for Ms. Williams in the mailbox.
(A) lot
(B) mail
(C) bunch
(D) package
(Answer: D)” ((Step up TOEIC Bridge Intermediate, p. 282))
I agree with the above book that D is the only correct answer.
Let me explain the reason:
‘mail’ is always used as an uncountable noun, so the indefinite article ‘a’ can NOT be used before ‘mail. However, ‘package’ is always used as a countable noun, so the indefinite article ‘a’ CAN be used before ‘package’.
What do you think of my explanation? Am I wrong?
Top answer
Your explanation is OK. Be careful, however, of using the word 'always' when explaining English: it is almost always wrong.
- Your explanation is OK.
- Be careful, however, of using the word 'always' when explaining English: it is almost always wrong.
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2 Answers
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Your explanation is OK. Be careful, however, of using the word 'always' when explaining English: it is almost always wrong.
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Thanks, Mister Micawber.
I know what you mean, but I deliberately use the word "always" to solicit some contradiction.
Anyway, I absolutely agree with you.
I know what you mean, but I deliberately use the word "always" to solicit some contradiction.
Anyway, I absolutely agree with you.
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