Abstract nouns

Question

Is there any method to differenciate between countable and noncountable abstract nouns or there`s no other way than memorizing them?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

VoytaszekIs there any method to differenciate between countable and noncountable abstract nouns or there`s no other way than memorizing them?

You'll have to memorize them if you cannot conceptualize them as native speakers do.

Voytaszek · Answer

I didn`t try to conceptualize them, is there any rule that determines whch abstract nouns are and which not counbtable?

CalifJim · Answer

Voytaszek is there any rule that determines whch abstract nouns are and which not counbtable?

Rule? None whatsoever. Zero.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

"... is there any rule that determines whch abstract nouns are and which not counbtable?"
It's called intuition. Native speakers of English use their natural-born skills to differentiate those nouns. So, the rule is: you've either got it or not.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymous natural-born skills to differentiate those nouns.

No, of course not. We acquire the skill when we acquire the language. Early learners at least of any L1 can gain the same ability.

Jigneshbharati · Answer

https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080820031649AAaYHuN

Voytaszek · Answer

I can easily spot the difference between an abstract and a conrete noun but I struggle with differentiation between countable andnoncoutable nouns.

I know that some of them are determined grammaticaly, like;
attractiveness, darkness
because of the suffix -ness.

Also the activities ending with -ing, like; swimming, bodybuilding.

But the rest of them is determined intuitively and that have something to do with understanding them as universal or paricular. Love is understood universally and a feeling particularly because there are dfferent emotions.

Could someone help me uderstand it better or there`s no other way than memorization?

CalifJim · Answer

VoytaszekI struggle with differentiation between countable and noncountable nouns.

Generally, things that are countable are bounded by a fixed shape, in other words, objects (house, car, man, table), and things that are not countable are amorphous, i.e., substances (sand, beer, sugar, mud).

A great many words can be used in both ways because they are neither object-like nor substance-like, and English may conceptualize them differently than is done in other languages. Countability is thus not really a property of a noun; it is a property of a noun as used in a specific context. This is the main problem for learners who may mistakenly believe there is an invisible tag that reads "countable" or "not countable" attached to every noun in English.

Of course, if you see "a" before a noun or the plural of a noun in the writing of a native speaker, you know that the noun is being used as a countable noun in that context. By reading a lot, and imitating what you read in your own writing, you may be able to acquire some "feel" for the countability of nouns.

Voytaszekunderstanding them as universal or particular.

Generally, the universal (or generic) use has no determiner, and the particular use does (a, the, this, my, ...).

Love makes the world go round.
Helen likes to work with children because of the great love she has for them.

CJ

Abstract nouns

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