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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Country or countries?
In cities, there are many tall buldings and cars.
In the country, there is a lot of land and animals.
My questions are...
1. In the second sentence, why "in the country" not "in the countries" ?
2. In the second sentence why "there is...." not "there are..." ?
Please help and thanks in advance.
In the country, there is a lot of land and animals.
My questions are...
1. In the second sentence, why "in the country" not "in the countries" ?
2. In the second sentence why "there is...." not "there are..." ?
Please help and thanks in advance.
Top answer
1. Here "country" is used in an uncountable sense and means land that is not built on. In the countable sense, "country" means "nation", so "in the countries" would refer to several different nations and would not make sense in this context.
- 1.
- Here "country" is used in an uncountable sense and means land that is not built on.
- In the countable sense, "country" means "nation", so "in the countries" would refer to several different nations and would not make sense in this context.
- 2.
- "is" agrees with "a lot of land" which is grammatically singular because "land" is used uncountably.
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2 Answers
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1. Here "country" is used in an uncountable sense and means land that is not built on. In the countable sense, "country" means "nation", so "in the countries" would refer to several different nations and would not make sense in this context.
2. "is" agrees with "a lot of land" which is grammatically singular because "land" is used uncountably. Compare: "There is a lot of land" with "Ther
2. "is" agrees with "a lot of land" which is grammatically singular because "land" is used uncountably. Compare: "There is a lot of land" with "Ther
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