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SuperESL Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Tension

"The quickening of Cold War tension"
"The quickening of Cold War tensions."

Which is correct?

I have never been able to figure out when I should add an -s to the word 'tension.' I see people writing "There is mounting tension along the border" but "international / racial / political tensions." Why the singular form is used in the first instance and the plural form in the second is lost on me. Exactly what is the rule governing this?


Thank you.
  

Top answer

The 'singular' form is uncountable: much tension . The plural is countable: many tensions . Often, either will serve.

— Mister Micawber

  • The 'singular' form is uncountable: much tension .
  • The plural is countable: many tensions .
  • Often, either will serve.
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4 Answers
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The 'singular' form is uncountable: much tension. The plural is countable: many tensions. Often, either will serve.
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SuperESLExactly what is the rule governing this?
I don't think there is a rule. In most cases it's as simple (and as complicated) as the author using whichever one he thinks fits in a given context.
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But exactly in what sense can 'tension' be countable-plural? After all, tension is an abstract quality of distrust and unfriendliness between people that exists in the air, rather than a tangible thing or a discrete item that can be counted. What does it mean to have "many racial tensions" anyway?

Thank you.
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But exactly in what sense can 'tension' be countable-plural? After all, tension is an abstract quality of distrust and unfriendliness between people that exists in the air, rather than a tangible thing or a discrete item that can be counted. What does it mean to have "many racial tensions" anyway?

Thank you
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