such as + singular nouns

Question

Ex.

Americans nowadays take public transportation such as bus and subway more often.

Q.

Is it grammatically correct to put singular nouns after "such as"?
If so why do we allow that? What is it called?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

vcoltsIs it grammatically correct to put singular nouns after "such as"?

Yes.

vcoltsIf so why do we allow that?

Those nouns are uncountable: they are means of transportation.

Vcolts · Answer

If we look up the dictionary, they are listed as countable.

If I understand correctly, when they are used as means of transportation, they become uncountable?

What is the grammatical term/explanation in the grammar book?

If they are used as means of transportation, they become uncountable?

What do you call that as a grammatical term?

"by car" is a similar construction, right?

Thanks in advance.

Mister Micawber · Answer

vcoltsIf we look up the dictionary, they are listed as countable

The dictionaries do not usually take account of how all nouns are used. Many or most can become countable/uncountable from their more usual form in appropriate contexts.

vcoltswhen they are used as means of transportation, they become uncountable?

Yes, they can.

vcoltsWhat do you call that as a grammatical term?

I call it a noun that can be either countable or uncountable, that is all. I know that an uncountable noun becoming countable is called 'reclassification', so perhaps the term 'declassification' might apply.

vcolts"by car" is a similar construction, right?

Right.

Vcolts · Answer

I understand what you are saying but I am wondering if it is possible to find a website on this.

The reason why I ask is that I was always taught that they are countable and if i remember correctly, i was taught that "by car" and "such as + singular noun" constructions can be understood as idioms.

I tried searching with declassification but it yielded no result.

Usually good dictionaries indicate words' usages (even words that can be both countable and uncountable).

Mister Micawber · Answer

vcoltsI tried searching with declassification but it yielded no result.

That's because I coined it.

vcoltsUsually good dictionaries indicate words' usages (even words that can be both countable and uncountable)

Yes, of course, but only learners' dictionaries bother to try to indicate countability...which only causes confusion for the hundreds of students who have come here and asked the same question you did.

such as + singular nouns

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