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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
plural v. countable
If a noun has the plural form, then is it always countable? er...This is may be too general a question. Actually what i am concerned is some words like these:
performances, executions, etc.
In my eyes these nouns are somewhat abstract. And i seldom see expressions like two performances, two executions.
I'm really interested to know whether this is a kind of lingual phenomenon and if so, expect your kind clarifications. (ooh, clarifications....Could i expect two or three or four ....clarifications:-) )
thank u a lot
performances, executions, etc.
In my eyes these nouns are somewhat abstract. And i seldom see expressions like two performances, two executions.
I'm really interested to know whether this is a kind of lingual phenomenon and if so, expect your kind clarifications. (ooh, clarifications....Could i expect two or three or four ....clarifications:-) )
thank u a lot
Top answer
The 's plural normally indicates the presence of a countable noun; this has nothing directly to do with concrete/abstract nouns. To me, your examples are perfectly normal plural countables: His performances during the run were impeccable. Executions have ceased since the dictator was deposed.
- The 's plural normally indicates the presence of a countable noun; this has nothing directly to do with concrete/abstract nouns.
- To me, your examples are perfectly normal plural countables: His performances during the run were impeccable.
- Executions have ceased since the dictator was deposed.
- Other clarifications may follow upon my own.
- Indeed, there are exceptions: measles news gymnastics
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6 Answers
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The 's plural normally indicates the presence of a countable noun; this has nothing directly to do with concrete/abstract nouns. To me, your examples are perfectly normal plural countables:
His performances during the run were impeccable.
Executions have ceased since the dictator was deposed.
Other clarifications may follow upon my own.
His performances during the run were impeccable.
Executions have ceased since the dictator was deposed.
Other clarifications may follow upon my own.
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sorry sir. but u seem to misunderstood what my concern is here.
I mean if these nouns are countable, whether it is all right to precede them with numbers. In other words, may i say two performances, two executions, two clarifications etc.
theoretically if they are countable, i may number them. but to say two/three/four... performances/executions/clarifications will just make me
I mean if these nouns are countable, whether it is all right to precede them with numbers. In other words, may i say two performances, two executions, two clarifications etc.
theoretically if they are countable, i may number them. but to say two/three/four... performances/executions/clarifications will just make me
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If they are countable, then any numbers, reasonable or unreasonable, may be placed before them:
From 1952 to 1974, there were 8,862 performances of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap at the Ambassadors Theatre.
George W. Bush - 152 executions while governor of Texas.
From 1952 to 1974, there were 8,862 performances of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap at the Ambassadors Theatre.
George W. Bush - 152 executions while governor of Texas.
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Yes, a countable noun can be proceeded by numerals. There are two different performances of the play at the theater.
Just remember, there are nouns that can ce countable in a sense, and uncountable in another. Performance is one of them.
Just remember, there are nouns that can ce countable in a sense, and uncountable in another. Performance is one of them.
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