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MustAsk Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Heart disease uncountable?

Hi

I no longer understand how the word 'disease' is used.

1.He suffers from heart disease.
2.He suffers from a heart disease.
3.Junk food causes heart diseases?

I've been told that #3 is wrong. And also, some dictionaries provide examples of 'hear disease' without the indefinite article.

Thanks!
  

Top answer

Hi! Yes, #3 is incorrect. ) Notice how I slipped the correct use of the plural form "diseases" in there?

— BusinessEnglishOnline

  • Hi!
  • Yes, #3 is incorrect.
  • ) Notice how I slipped the correct use of the plural form "diseases" in there?
  • In #2, because there is an article, then the words "heart disease" don't need capitalisation.
  • In this case, we're talking about "a disease of the heart" - one of many that may affect the heart.
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17 Answers
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Hi! Yes, #3 is incorrect. Heart Disease (as in #1) is a proper noun - the name of a disease (which, technically speaking can be a number of different diseases coming under the banner of "Heart Disease".) Notice how I slipped the correct use of the plural form "diseases" in there?
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Are you implying that "heart disease" should be capitalized in #1, or have I missed your point?
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Thank you for your reply, if I wanted to say 'Junk food causes all kinds of ... ' and you have to use 'heart disease', I would have to use 'diseases of the heart' and not 'heart diseases', right?
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Yes. Heart Disease as a proper noun is capitalised.
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Yes, that's correct.

Keep in mind that not all English follows rules or is perfect! The idea of learning English is about communication, and native speakers will often change or distort rules. So, no-one would cane you for not capitalising it. Even doctors won't be so perfectionist in their English (they have the worst writing in the world!)
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BusinessEnglishOnlineYes. Heart Disease as a proper noun is capitalised.
So... He suffers from Heart Disease.

Looks odd to me.
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But it's correct. I also suffer from Heart Disease - so I'm pretty sure Emotion: wink

Keep in mind, though, that nobody would laugh at y
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MustAskThank you for your reply, if I wanted to say 'Junk food causes all kinds of ... ' and you have to use 'heart disease', I would have to use 'diseases of the heart' and not 'heart diseases', right?
What do you think about my suggestion? Thanks
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BusinessEnglishOnlineBut it's correct. I also suffer from Heart Disease - so I'm pretty sure
Oh... I'm sorry to hear about your health problems...
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I'm sorry, but I'm probably confusing you. Unfortunately, I'm often looking at these forums between teaching sessions, and I'm trying to give quick responses. I also try not to bog you down with grammar, as personally I have seen took many students' eyes glaze over when it comes to rules.

'Junk food causes all kinds of heart diseases' is good. In this case the word 'heart'is just a
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