Heart rate

Question

Hi,1.'Nicotine increases heart rate.'I looked 'rate' up and found out that it is only Countable in two different dictionaries. If so why do I come across this use without using an article before it?Can rate be used as a noncount noun?2.'He leaned back against one of the wooden pillars which were/was supporting the ceiling.'Are both 'were,was' acceptable?I get confused when it comes to similar sentences?Does the verb agree with 'one' or the plural noun directly before which?I have seen examples where both are used but I don't know the rules.Please help me.Thanks.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

AnonymousCan rate be used as a noncount noun?

I've always used it as a count and as a non-count.

The rates are different for men and women.

(Rate #1 is for men; rate #2 is for women.)

The rate is different now than it was ten years ago.

(In this case, "the rate" really "stands for" Eg, "the rate of recidivism among California inmates.")

I'm not explaining this correctly.

The definition (parameters) of the rate remains the same, but the number value assigned to it has changed.

Calculate the acceleration rates based on the following table of values.

Anonymous2.'He leaned back against one of the wooden pillars which were/was supporting the ceiling.'

In my opinion, both are acceptable if you use a comma in one of them.
As it is, without the comma, the "which" clause is restrictive, and would refer to "pillars." plural.

If you add a comma after "pillars," making the clause non-restrictive, it can refer to "one" (singular) or "pillars" (plural.)

If you choose the singular, it's ambiguous as to whether all the pillars were supporting the ceiling, or only the one he was leaning against was doing so.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous1.'Nicotine increases heart rate.'

Now and then you'll see unusual usages that are a little less formal than you might expect. I believe the intent here is ... increases the heart rate. Alternately, the writer was thinking of 'heart rate' as an abstract compound noun. Abstract nouns don't need articles.

Anonymous2.'He leaned back against one of the wooden pillars which were/was supporting the ceiling.'

The rule is to say what you mean.

You have choices.

He leaned back against one of the wooden pillars, which was supporting the ceiling.

. It was supporting the ceiling.

one (of the wooden pillars) - which was

(almost implies that only this pillar was supporting the ceiling)

He leaned back against one of the wooden pillars which was supporting the ceiling.

. It was supporting the ceiling.

one (of the wooden pillars) which was

(implies that more than one pillar was supporting the ceiling)

He leaned back against one of the wooden pillars which were supporting the ceiling.

. They were supporting the ceiling.

one of (the wooden pillars which were ...)

Nine times out of ten you'll need the last pattern.

CJ

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