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Mitsuo23 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
advice vs "a" suggestion
Hi,
I know the word "advice" has been discussed on this forum here and there, but please let me give it another shot.
I would like to know why it can be a uncountable noun. If I look it up, a dictionary says, "'an' opinion or 'a' suggestion about what sb should do in a particular situation." And this description makes me think, "why can "opinion" or "suggestion" be a countable? What is the difference? Where the line to draw?"
So please let me ask you this to figure this out. Would you say anything different when one asked you:
A) I'm thinking about changing my profession. Any advice?
B) I'm thinking about changing my profession. Any suggestion?
If your answers are essentially the same, then I should assume, advice, a uncountable noun, and a suggestion, a countable noun, practically means the same, at least in some contexts.
Thank you,
M
I know the word "advice" has been discussed on this forum here and there, but please let me give it another shot.
I would like to know why it can be a uncountable noun. If I look it up, a dictionary says, "'an' opinion or 'a' suggestion about what sb should do in a particular situation." And this description makes me think, "why can "opinion" or "suggestion" be a countable? What is the difference? Where the line to draw?"
So please let me ask you this to figure this out. Would you say anything different when one asked you:
A) I'm thinking about changing my profession. Any advice?
B) I'm thinking about changing my profession. Any suggestion?
If your answers are essentially the same, then I should assume, advice, a uncountable noun, and a suggestion, a countable noun, practically means the same, at least in some contexts.
Thank you,
M
Top answer
mitsuwao23 I know the word "advice" has been discussed on this forum here and there, but please let me give it another shot. I would like to know why it can be a uncountable noun. Do you mean to ask why it can't be an uncountable noun?
- mitsuwao23 I know the word "advice" has been discussed on this forum here and there, but please let me give it another shot.
- I would like to know why it can be a uncountable noun.
- Do you mean to ask why it can't be an uncountable noun?
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7 Answers
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mitsuwao23I know the word "advice" has been discussed on this forum here and there, but please let me give it another shot. I would like to know why it can be a uncountable noun.Do you mean to ask why it can't be an uncountable noun?
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They are very similar, but are not necessarily the same.
I'm thinking about changing my profession. Any advice? would be likely to be taken as What are your thoughts about the idea? What do you think I should do? What should I consider?
I'm thinking about changing my profession.
I'm thinking about changing my profession. Any advice? would be likely to be taken as What are your thoughts about the idea? What do you think I should do? What should I consider?
I'm thinking about changing my profession.
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Thank you for the reply Blue Jay,
Sorry for being persistent but I really, really, want to understand the concept of countable nouns and uncountable ones. Trying to memorize each noun seems so impractical to me.
Are you saying like, the relation between advice and a suggestion is somewhat similar to the one between luggage and a bag? Or furniture and a chair?
Thank you f
Sorry for being persistent but I really, really, want to understand the concept of countable nouns and uncountable ones. Trying to memorize each noun seems so impractical to me.
Are you saying like, the relation between advice and a suggestion is somewhat similar to the one between luggage and a bag? Or furniture and a chair?
Thank you f
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mitsuwao23Trying to memorize each noun seems so impractical to me.Nonetheless, that is what is necessary, just as you must memorize the irregular verbs and the wealth of idioms.
mitsuwao23Are you saying like, the relation between advice and a suggestion is somewhat similar to the one between luggage and a bag? Or furniture and a chair?
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Hi, Mister Micawber, Thank you for the reply.
Can I say, "A bag is furniture"? Or should I say, "A bag is a part/piece of furniture"?
Thank you,
M
Can I say, "A bag is furniture"? Or should I say, "A bag is a part/piece of furniture"?
Thank you,
M
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A bag is unrelated to furniture. A chair is furniture or a piece of furniture.
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