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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Abstract and Concrete Nouns
we're learning about abstract/concrete nouns in 9th grade english. i was asked if "investment" is an abstract or concrete noun, and i feel like i'm over-analyzing it. here's the sentence it is used in: "the investment of our resources reveals the truth about our priorities." i can make it plural and say "investments", but it also seems like something i can't taste, feel, see, smell, or hear. which is it -- abstract or concrete?
Top answer
"Investment" may be countable (concrete) or uncountable (abstract). The context in your sentence makes it abstract, in my opinion. Try using the plural in a sentence.
- "Investment" may be countable (concrete) or uncountable (abstract).
- The context in your sentence makes it abstract, in my opinion.
- Try using the plural in a sentence.
- Edit.
- Well, I suppose you could use the same sentence.
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4 Answers
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"Investment" may be countable (concrete) or uncountable (abstract). The context in your sentence makes it abstract, in my opinion.
Try using the plural in a sentence.
Edit. Well, I suppose you could use the same sentence. But I believe the sense would be different.
It is a bit of a grey area in this case. The speaker would probably intend the abstract
Try using the plural in a sentence.
Edit. Well, I suppose you could use the same sentence. But I believe the sense would be different.
It is a bit of a grey area in this case. The speaker would probably intend the abstract
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Anon, you are making basic errors way below the level of the question you are asking. Sentences begin with a capital letter. The word "I" is always capitalised.
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Don't confuse the idea of countable or uncountable with concrete or abstract.
A piece of luggage is quite concrete, but it's only "luggage." You don't have one luggage, two luggages, etc.
At the same time, a hope for world peace is one hope, and a hope for the quick discovery of a way to make cheap renewable energy is another hope, so you have two countable hopes, but it's quite
A piece of luggage is quite concrete, but it's only "luggage." You don't have one luggage, two luggages, etc.
At the same time, a hope for world peace is one hope, and a hope for the quick discovery of a way to make cheap renewable energy is another hope, so you have two countable hopes, but it's quite
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Grammar GeekDon't confuse the idea of countable or uncountable with concrete or abstract.Great point, GG.
(You may have to remind us again.)
- A.
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