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Rotter Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Experience
1. Do you have any experience of working with kids?
In the above sentences the noun experience is an uncountable one.
It means it would be incorrect to say experiences in the above context.
For me or rather to a layman the words 'any experience of working' borders some pluralistic nature. So it looks that we can say experiences in the given context.
The person has worked at several places with kids, for example. So she has more than one experience.
What do you think?
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2. I know from experience gym training leads to minor injuries.
In the above the word experience is uncountable.
However, I have had injuries for a long time. Those injuries are largely ephemeral.
As those injuries are common issues when you train on a regular basis, for me, the noun experience sounds pluralistic, hence it is countable.
[ Even today I have a minor problem in the right ankle.]
How do you judge the noun experience as an uncountable one in the given context?
In the above sentences the noun experience is an uncountable one.
It means it would be incorrect to say experiences in the above context.
For me or rather to a layman the words 'any experience of working' borders some pluralistic nature. So it looks that we can say experiences in the given context.
The person has worked at several places with kids, for example. So she has more than one experience.
What do you think?
….......................................................................---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. I know from experience gym training leads to minor injuries.
In the above the word experience is uncountable.
However, I have had injuries for a long time. Those injuries are largely ephemeral.
As those injuries are common issues when you train on a regular basis, for me, the noun experience sounds pluralistic, hence it is countable.
[ Even today I have a minor problem in the right ankle.]
How do you judge the noun experience as an uncountable one in the given context?
Top answer
Dear Rotter Usually, experience is a non-count noun: a person's whole life is one experience, from beginning to end However, you can use it to mean "an episode in my life" - and then it is a count noun - I met Frank Sinatra - that was an experience! - When I was teaching, a kid threw his pencil at me. On another occasion, a girl gave me a flower.
- Dear Rotter Usually, experience is a non-count noun: a person's whole life is one experience, from beginning to end However, you can use it to mean "an episode in my life" - and then it is a count noun - I met Frank Sinatra - that was an experience!
- - When I was teaching, a kid threw his pencil at me.
- On another occasion, a girl gave me a flower.
- That's just two experiences I had - These examples are from my experience of teaching [non-count] Hope this helps, Dave
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6 Answers
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Dear Rotter
Usually, experience is a non-count noun: a person's whole life is one experience, from beginning to end
However, you can use it to mean "an episode in my life" - and then it is a count noun
- I met Frank Sinatra - that was an experience!
- When I was teaching, a kid threw his pencil at me. On another occasion, a girl gave me a flower. That's just tw
Usually, experience is a non-count noun: a person's whole life is one experience, from beginning to end
However, you can use it to mean "an episode in my life" - and then it is a count noun
- I met Frank Sinatra - that was an experience!
- When I was teaching, a kid threw his pencil at me. On another occasion, a girl gave me a flower. That's just tw
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Hi,
Look up the word in a good dictionary and see the difference. Usually, there are two definitions of the word 'experience': 1. ... 2. [C] where 'U' and 'C' mean respectively 'uncountable' and 'countable'.
Look up the word in a good dictionary and see the difference. Usually, there are two definitions of the word 'experience': 1. ... 2. [C] where 'U' and 'C' mean respectively 'uncountable' and 'countable'.
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Thanks Dave
I have difficulty in understanding coun and non-count nature of the noun experience.
So the activities pertainintg to your life is uncountable. I am a bit confused!
Do you have any experience in working in paper millls?
In the above the word experience is countable, I be
I have difficulty in understanding coun and non-count nature of the noun experience.
So the activities pertainintg to your life is uncountable. I am a bit confused!
Do you have any experience in working in paper millls?
In the above the word experience is countable, I be
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Dear Rotter
Usually, a count noun is when you can count it; and it is non-count if you cannot
"Brick" is a count noun because, almost always, you can count the number of bricks
"Water" is non-count because you can have more or less, but you can't count it
However, in English, it can be confusing..
For example, water is usually a non-count noun..
Usually, a count noun is when you can count it; and it is non-count if you cannot
"Brick" is a count noun because, almost always, you can count the number of bricks
"Water" is non-count because you can have more or less, but you can't count it
However, in English, it can be confusing..
For example, water is usually a non-count noun..
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Thanks Dave
I still find it is a tall order to understand.
She has five years' experience as a computer programmer.
In the above the noun experience considered an uncountable one.
It has some limits. Here it is 5 years' experience. It can be 7 years' experience too.
So it varies; in other words we can count it.
I still find it is a tall order to understand.
She has five years' experience as a computer programmer.
In the above the noun experience considered an uncountable one.
It has some limits. Here it is 5 years' experience. It can be 7 years' experience too.
So it varies; in other words we can count it.
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Dear Rotter
This is complicated and I may be getting out of my depth: you may need to consult other teachers!..
In your latest example, you have put a new word - "year's" - together with "experience". I would call this a metric. If you use a metric with a non-count noun, then English may treat it as a count noun (that is how I would put it)..
I think it depends on wheth
This is complicated and I may be getting out of my depth: you may need to consult other teachers!..
In your latest example, you have put a new word - "year's" - together with "experience". I would call this a metric. If you use a metric with a non-count noun, then English may treat it as a count noun (that is how I would put it)..
I think it depends on wheth
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