memory

Question

Why does the word memory still stay singular when, at a lot of times actually, it should be pluralized ?
Such as "Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORY"

For that bafflement there alone I just couldn't hear the rest part of the lecture that I was attending at the school.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Memory can be countable or uncountable.

GCheng620"Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORY"

Either would be correct in your example. If you're talking about memory as stuff, then it's singular.
(That stuff is found in all mobile devices.)

Or you can say, "I just checked the memories in six different brands." (In the plural, you're talking about things.)

GCheng620 · Answer

Avangi If you're talking about memory as stuff

It is a stuff in any respect, Avangi:)

GCheng620 · Answer

AvangiMemory can be countable or uncountable.GCheng620"Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORY"Either would be correct in your example. If you're talking about memory as stuff, then it's singular.(That stuff is found in all mobile devices.)Or you can say, "I just checked the memories in six different brands." (In the plural, you're talking about things.)

In both the examples you provided you seemed to be referring to "memory" as a whole, in which case I think the singular form is the most appropriate:)

But then again, I found MY example to be odd due to the pluralized noun "devices" collocated before "memory"
THAT IS MY POINT:)

Avangi · Answer

I think I understand your point.
uncountable (stuff) Modern computers have more memory than those built ten years ago.
countable (things) I've had to replace the memories in both of my computers.

"Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORY." How much memory do they usually have?

"Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORIES." The memory in mine is smaller than the memory in yours.

It's your choice. You can use either one, depending on how you're thinking about it. (notional concord)

Unfortunately, when you say "The memory in my computer is inadequate," we have no way to know if you're talking about the amount of memory which your computer provides (uncountable), or if you're talking about the physical (removable/replaceable) component (countable).

GCheng620 · Answer

AvangiI think I understand your point.uncountable (stuff) Modern computers have more memory than those built ten years ago.countable (things) I've had to replace the memories in both of my computers."Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORY." How much memory do they usually have? "Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORIES." The memory in mine is smaller than the memory in yours. It's your choice. You can use either one, depending on how you're thinking about it. (notional concord)Unfortunately, when you say "The memory in my computer is inadequate," we have no way to know if you're talking about the amount of memory which your computer provides (uncountable), or if you're talking about the physical (removable/replaceable) component (countable).

Awesome reply, Avangi, thanks!:)
And now that you've mentioned, I think that it's obvious that the speaker of my example("Mobile devices usually have limited MEMORY") is referring to the size of the memory spaces, judging by the use of the word "limited".
MY BAD

Avangi · Answer

Don't be too hard on yourself, GC.

Countable vs uncountable is sometimes a gray area!

Best regards, - A.

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