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Hardell Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
A(?) temperature
Hi.
I'm wondering whether "temperature" is countable or uncountable. I've checked it in many dictionaries and none of them states it clearly.
I've seen sentences like "When any two substances of different temperatures are in thermal contact,..." or "On Earth's surface, temperatures usually range ±40 °C..." from which I can assume that "temperature" is countable. On the other hand, I've found sentences like "Forecasts based on temperature and..." or "Therefore, temperature is tied directly to the mean kinetic energy...". And as if it wasn't enough, I've seen "The seeds need a minimum temperature of about 15°C to germinate.".
So, I'm a little confused about the article.
Please help me.
Thank you in advance.
I'm wondering whether "temperature" is countable or uncountable. I've checked it in many dictionaries and none of them states it clearly.
I've seen sentences like "When any two substances of different temperatures are in thermal contact,..." or "On Earth's surface, temperatures usually range ±40 °C..." from which I can assume that "temperature" is countable. On the other hand, I've found sentences like "Forecasts based on temperature and..." or "Therefore, temperature is tied directly to the mean kinetic energy...". And as if it wasn't enough, I've seen "The seeds need a minimum temperature of about 15°C to germinate.".
So, I'm a little confused about the article.
Please help me.
Thank you in advance.Top answer
Hi, As you can see, it depends on how you use the word. Clive
- Hi, As you can see, it depends on how you use the word.
- Clive
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4 Answers
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HardellSo, I'm a little confused about the article.I feel your pain. I'm not sure there is a definitive answer. As you have discovered, the countability of "temperature" is not at all clear-cut. I'm afraid the best advice I can give is that its countability is partly at the discretion of the author/speaker and partly whether or not he is referring to two or
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If you look at it from the countability perspective, it should be singular. But most what we hear are plural usages: Temperatures around the Bay will range from 60's to mid 70's during the day. It really is context dependent.
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