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MUSCOVITE Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
How to use the noun 'class' (in the singular)?
Hi,
I have physics class at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.1)
This sample sentence is taken from my LDOCE (2005).
(1) Wouldn't it be more "natural"/"common" to put 'class' in the plural in this sentence?
(2) Is there any noticeable difference between v.1 and the following ones:
I take physics class(es) at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.2)
I attend physics class(es) at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.3)
I do physics class(es) at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.4)
My understanding is that v.3 and v.4 are the most and the least formal ones, respectively?
mus-te
I have physics class at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.1)
This sample sentence is taken from my LDOCE (2005).
(1) Wouldn't it be more "natural"/"common" to put 'class' in the plural in this sentence?
(2) Is there any noticeable difference between v.1 and the following ones:
I take physics class(es) at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.2)
I attend physics class(es) at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.3)
I do physics class(es) at 9:30 on Tuesdays (v.4)
My understanding is that v.3 and v.4 are the most and the least formal ones, respectively?
mus-te
Top answer
MUSCOVITE (1) Wouldn't it be more "natural"/"common" to put 'class' in the plural in this sentence? No. It refers to the class for which one has registered.
- MUSCOVITE (1) Wouldn't it be more "natural"/"common" to put 'class' in the plural in this sentence?
- No.
- It refers to the class for which one has registered.
- The class is held once/twice a week.
- 1 and the following ones: Your third option is not native.
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8 Answers
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MUSCOVITE(1) Wouldn't it be more "natural"/"common" to put 'class' in the plural in this sentence?No. It refers to the class for which one has registered. The class is held once/twice a week.
MUSCOVITE(2) Is there any noticeable difference between v.1 and the following ones:Your third option is not native.
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Thank you Mister Micawber!
If you could also answer a follow-up question?
Although v.1 is fine, still there is one big drawback to it (to my [English learner's] eye :-).
Seriously, the (countable?) noun 'class' appears in the single in v.1, yet no article is used before "physics class'... which makes this sentence looking "grammatically complicated" (fo
If you could also answer a follow-up question?
Although v.1 is fine, still there is one big drawback to it (to my [English learner's] eye :-).
Seriously, the (countable?) noun 'class' appears in the single in v.1, yet no article is used before "physics class'... which makes this sentence looking "grammatically complicated" (fo
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MUSCOVITEthe ... noun 'class' appears in the singular in v.1, yet no article is used before "physics class'... which makes this sentenceI can sympathize. Yet, it's not really differentlookinglook "grammatically complicated" (for lack of a better term) to non-native speakers
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CalifJimThe basic pattern is ... have [scheduled activity] at [ time].I think it is an absolutely brilliant "problem solution" (because it is it both concise and clear, imho).
Thanks a lot CalifJim!
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MUSCOVITEThanks a lotYou're welcome. Just a word of caution. The number of countable nouns that qualify as 'scheduled activities' is exceedingly few.
class, as in an academic class, practice, as in a practice session, and the names of meals (breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, supper, tea), and a part of a meal (dessert) were t
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A few other related ones:
I have physics class / drama workshop / chemistry lab / French lecture / assembly at 9:30 on Tuesdays. There is also field or sports day, recess, exam week, and probably more of that ilk.
I have physics class / drama workshop / chemistry lab / French lecture / assembly at 9:30 on Tuesdays. There is also field or sports day, recess, exam week, and probably more of that ilk.
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