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Gori Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Countable vs Uncountable
0 Dear native speakers, 02 br
02 br
00 In Japanese, we do not need to care about whether a certain noun is countable or uncountable. However, in English, a noun can be classified into these three: countable, uncountable, or both. Because of this difference in use of language between these two countries, sometimes I have a very hard time understanding if certain nouns can be countable or uncountable, or could be both. In dictionaries, some words are written as both "countable" and "uncountable," which confuses me more. 02 br
02 br
00 Well, for example, what about the nouns like "electric current," "voltage," and "reset" (here, "reset" is used as a noun)? Are they countable or uncountable, or could be both? When the third one (=could be both) applies, how can I know when to make these nouns countable and when to make these nouns uncountable? 02 br
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00 (In case of countable) 02 br
00 a direct current (DC), an alternate current (AC), a through current, direct currents, alternate currents, and through currents, a voltage, voltages 02 br
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00 (In case of uncountable) 02 br
00 direct current (DC), alternate current (AC), voltage, and the like. 02 br
02 br
00 Native speakers, please, please help me. 0-
02 br
00 In Japanese, we do not need to care about whether a certain noun is countable or uncountable. However, in English, a noun can be classified into these three: countable, uncountable, or both. Because of this difference in use of language between these two countries, sometimes I have a very hard time understanding if certain nouns can be countable or uncountable, or could be both. In dictionaries, some words are written as both "countable" and "uncountable," which confuses me more. 02 br
02 br
00 Well, for example, what about the nouns like "electric current," "voltage," and "reset" (here, "reset" is used as a noun)? Are they countable or uncountable, or could be both? When the third one (=could be both) applies, how can I know when to make these nouns countable and when to make these nouns uncountable? 02 br
02 br
00 (In case of countable) 02 br
00 a direct current (DC), an alternate current (AC), a through current, direct currents, alternate currents, and through currents, a voltage, voltages 02 br
02 br
00 (In case of uncountable) 02 br
00 direct current (DC), alternate current (AC), voltage, and the like. 02 br
02 br
00 Native speakers, please, please help me. 0-
Top answer
0 Tough question. You'll have to read a lot and learn patterns of usage. There are no straight rules.
- 0 Tough question.
- You'll have to read a lot and learn patterns of usage.
- There are no straight rules.
- 02 br 00 See this, this was written for the Japanese: 02 br 00 See these sites: 02 br 02 br 05 1 02 br 01 h1 00 Notes on English Composition 02 h1 00 written by Glenn Paquette 02 br 02 br 00 This is the first in a planned series of notes on English composition.
- These notes are intended as a reference for the writing of academic works to be used by ``non-native" physicists and mathematicians.
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5 Answers
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0 Tough question. You'll have to read a lot and learn patterns of usage. There are no straight rules. 02 br
00 See this, this was written for the Japanese: 02 br
00 See these sites: 02 br
02 br
05 1 02 br
01 h1
02 br
00 This is the first in a planned s
00 See this, this was written for the Japanese: 02 br
00 See these sites: 02 br
02 br
05 1 02 br
01 h1
00 Notes on English Composition 02 h1
00 written by Glenn Paquette 02 br02 br
00 This is the first in a planned s
00
0 Read many of the previously published threads here: 02 br
05 0 0260href http://www.EnglishForward.com/search/countable+uncountable.htm
05 0 0260href http://www.EnglishForward.com/search/countable+uncountable.htm
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0 Thank you for your reference, comments, and advice. 02 br
00 I will read these threads, taking more time. Thank you. 02 br
02 br
00 By the way, could you please tell me if the words such as voltage" and "electric current" can really be countable. In other words, is it NOT wrong if they are written like "a voltage" or "voltages", or "an electric current" or "electric c
00 I will read these threads, taking more time. Thank you. 02 br
02 br
00 By the way, could you please tell me if the words such as voltage" and "electric current" can really be countable. In other words, is it NOT wrong if they are written like "a voltage" or "voltages", or "an electric current" or "electric c
00
0 01 blockquote
00 It may be usefu
01 cite 10 Gori 12 cite 10 how can I know when to make these nouns countable and when to make these nouns uncountable? 12 blockquote10 You don't actually 'make them countable' and 'make them uncountable'. There's something wrong about the way you're explaining these concepts to yourself. 02 br
00 It may be usefu
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0 Dear CJ 02 br
02 br
00 Thank you for clarifying these points. 02 br
00 Your comment and advice are very informative and helpful. 02 br
00 I really appreciate it! 0-
02 br
00 Thank you for clarifying these points. 02 br
00 Your comment and advice are very informative and helpful. 02 br
00 I really appreciate it! 0-
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