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SmilyCat Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Show business


"Winners of “Britain’s Got Talent,” one of a host of talent shows that are among the most-watched programs in Britain, receive about $160,000 and a spot on the roster of the Royal Variety Performance, presented in front of the Queen. Their high profiles also virtually assure that they will have lucrative careers in show business. "

Is an article "a" or "the" is missing, since "business" as a type of business activity (not company), is countable.
  

Top answer

'Show business' is an uncountable compound noun.

  • 'Show business' is an uncountable compound noun.
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6 Answers
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'Show business' is an uncountable compound noun.
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Hi,
SmilyCatIs an article "a" or "the" is missing, since "business" as a type of business activity (not company), is countable.
It is correct as it is. Show business is uncountable.

Regards
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I accidentally found this:

www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlayFull-Waterproof-Video-Camera/dp/B005G81EAQ/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_1

"Kodak recently announced that it will be exiting the digital camera, video, and picture frame businesses. Service & support will continue within the terms of the manufacturer's warranty, which is 1 year from the purchase
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SmilyCatexiting the digital camera, video, and picture frame businesses.
So the plural "businesses" is an error here?

No, there are three separate businesses mentioned.
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Thanks AlpheccaStars!

So, a business becomes uncountable:

"He works in digital camera business."
"He works in video business."
"He works in picture frame business."
"He works in show business."

But many businesses must maintain its countability:

"He works in digital camera and picture frame businesses."
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Not exactly.

He works in the digital camera business. (perhaps a manufacturer of cameras or a specialty camera store)
"He works in a video production business." (a business that produces videos)
"He works in the picture framing business. (a store that makes frames)
"He works in show business. (He might be an actor, a producer, a scriptwriter, a comedian, a TV personality, a ca

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