Ballot countable and uncountable

Question

2 : a process that allows people to vote in secret so that other people cannot see their votes

[count]

They cast their votes in a secret ballot.

Hide examples

[noncount]
She was elected by secret ballot.

Hide examples
Please someone explain to me how to recognise or identify uncountable nouns from countable nouns (Without checking a dictionary) I was reading new about the( should I use the here?)US elections and the noun ballot could be used both as a countable and uncountable noun as per the dictionary definitions (learners dictionary). Thanks Jignesh

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

JigneshbharatiPlease someone explain to me how to recognise or identify uncountable nouns from countable nouns (Without checking a dictionary)

Do you mean when you see them in writing?

CJ

Jigneshbharati · Answer

Yes

CalifJim · Answer

JigneshbharatiYes

OK. I think we've been through most of this already.

If the determiner that goes with the noun is "a" or "an", the noun is countable.
If numbers (one, two, three, ...) are used with the noun, the noun is countable.
If the noun is used in its plural form, the noun is countable.

If the tests above do not apply, and you don't look for clues in a dictionary or in other sources, you won't know unless you have an excellent command of the English language which allows you to work out intuitively whether the referent of the noun is more like something countable or not.

CJ

Jigneshbharati · Answer

Thanks

Ballot countable and uncountable

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions