Medicine / medicines
The word “medicine” has two different meanings.
(1) a substance used for treating illness, especially a liquid you drink
(2) the treatment and study of illnesses and injuries
I have a question about (1).
Dictionaries say that “medicine” is used both as a countable noun and as an uncountable noun. I’m not at all sure when you use it as countable and when uncountable.
For example, which of each below is correct, (a) or (b)?
(3-a) Plants have been used as medicines for thousands of years.
(3-b) Plants have been used as medicine for thousands of years.
(4-a) They didn’t know how to use plants as medicines.
(4-b) They didn’t know how to use plants as medicine.
(5-a) Medicines made from plants are used all over the world.
(5-b) Medicine made from plants is used all over the world.
Top answer
(3-b) Plants have been used as medicine for thousands of years. To my ear, it's "as medicine" or "in medicines". (4-b) They didn’t know how to use plants as medicine.
- (3-b) Plants have been used as medicine for thousands of years.
- To my ear, it's "as medicine" or "in medicines".
- (4-b) They didn’t know how to use plants as medicine.
- Same thing.
- (5-b) Medicine made from plants is used all over the world.
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Koji from Japan(3-a) Plants have been used as medicines for thousands of years.(3-b) Plants have been used as medicine for thousands of years.
To my ear, it's "as medicine" or "in medicines".
Koji from Japan(4-a) They didn’t know how to use plants as medicines.(4-b) They didn’t know how to use plants as medicine.
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