Requires a lot of discussion or discussions

Question

Hi. Please help. I think the examples below talk about project somewhat generally; that is, they are not talking about specific projects. In (For?) these cases, I think both of the underlined parts are correct. Is that correct?

1. The project of this magnitude requires a lot of discussion/ a lot of discussions among the people involved in the process.

2. The project of this magnitude requires a lot of preparation/ a lot of preparations by the people involved in the process.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

In/For these cases, I think both of the underlined parts are correct. Is that correct?-- Only the uncountable forms are natural choices:

1. A project of this magnitude requires a lot of discussion among the people involved in the process.

2. A project of this magnitude requires a lot of preparation by the people involved in the process.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you so much. Could you answer one more question? If someone wrote "unnatural" sentences, and I think a lot of people do write "unnatural" sentences by using the plural form of countable nouns for the cases like the two cases introduced, would you say the sentences are incorrect grammatically? Would you also say the person who wrote them does not possess a great knowledge of the English language or perhaps a good grasp of it? Thank you for your anticipated response (help).

Mister Micawber · Answer

If someone wrote "unnatural" sentences, and I think a lot of people do write "unnatural" sentences by using the plural form of countable nouns for the cases like the two cases introduced, would you say the sentences are incorrect grammatically? -- No. When I use the word 'unnatural', I mean that it is grammatically correct but that it is not what a native speaker would normally use.

Would you also say the person who wrote them does not possess a great knowledge of the English language or perhaps a good grasp of it?-- Yes. It is one sign of a learner who has not yet discovered the natural collocation.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you so much, again. I am sorry, but please tell me if this is correct.

(hypothetical context)

A man is at a company meeting where the difference between Project A and B are being compared. Project A was successful, but Project B is going through some operational difficulties. John Doe was in charge of Project A and is currently in charge of project B too. To him, Project A and B should produce similar results, which means that Project B, barring any unexpected circumstantial anomalities, should come out successful, but, as the way Project B is progressing, it doesn't seem to have a high probability of duplicating Project A's success. One key factor for Project A's success was, as it has been revealed, that there were a lot of discussions among the people involved in the process. There were a lot of discussions to come up with the best way to proceed every step of the way, until the successful completion of the project.

Could John Doe say this at the company meeting? I think he could, but then again, I think the context for the example sentence below is specific to a particular project, that is Project B. Again, Thank you for your anticipated help.

I think Project B, like Project A, requires a lot of discussions, like what we had to do for Project A, to be successful.

Requires a lot of discussion or discussions

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