Countable or uncountable in the word relationship

Question

4 [countable, uncountable]the way in which a person is related to somebody else in a familya father-son relationship relationship between A and B I'm not sure of the exact relationship between them—I think they're cousins.                                                                                                              - Oxford Advanced -4 [uncountable]the way in which you are related to someone in your familyrelationship toWhat's your relationship to Sue?' 'She's my cousin.'                                                                                                               - Longman -The two dictionaries define the word the same but Oxford divides the word into countable and  uncountable and Longman divides it into uncountable and I was wondering if the 'relationship' in 'of the exact relationship' is uncountable like your relationship to Sue or countable? I think that we can say that relationship in a father-son relationship is countable and relationship in 'of the exact relationship between them' is uncountable. I am confused that 'the' or 'your' is put in front of both uncountable and countable nouns and then how can we distinguish between them? We have to rely on dictionaries but the two dictionaries divide the word differently so I need your help. What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much in advance.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

A relationship and the relationship/ -s are both countable. They are "things."

An uncountable relationship is "stuff," and no article would be used.

A particular relationship is countable: My/our relationship is falling apart. .

It's a little difficult to come up with good examples of uncountable relationships.
Good relationship is important if marriage is to survive. (stuff)
(We'd usually find another way to say it.)

Hans51I think that we can say that relationship in a father-son relationship is countable and relationship in 'of the exact relationship between them' is uncountable.

If by "the exact relationship" you mean that particular/individual relationship, I'd have to say that it's countable. It's one special relationship --- a thing. There could be another one (a different one) between the father and his daughter.
That makes two. (1,2 -- countable)

When you use the article (a father-son relationship), it has to be countable.

If you wish to speak of "father-son relationship" as a general category, then it becomes uncountable -- "stuff."
Father-son relationship is the topic of my new book. (uncountable)

Sorry to drag this out, but you've really chosen a tough example in "relationship."
I don't have Longman, so I can't comment on it.
Cambridge Learners is usually very good on "countable vs uncountable." They recognize the uncountable version of "relationship."

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/learner-english/relationship?q=relationship

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Relationship is very common in the plural. I consider it a count noun.

His relationships were always troubled.
The ability to engage in relationships is a mark of maturity and mental health.
There are many relationships between obesity and disease.

Clive · Answer

I, too, think of it as a count noun.

Clive

Hans51 · Answer

Thank you so much and I agree with you all, but when it means the way in which you are related to someone in your family, according to the two dictionaries, the word should be uncountable or you do not agree with this?

Clive · Answer

I have a relationship with my father.
I have a relationship with my mother.
That's two relationships.

Clive

Countable or uncountable in the word relationship

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