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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

the word 'behaviour' can be countable?

1. 'AN' acceptable social behaviour in one country may be unacceptable in another country.
2. Doctors are trying to educate people about behaviour'S' that can put them at increased risk for skin cancer.

How's it different from the ordinary uncountable usage of behaviour?
  

Top answer

Anonymous How's it different from the ordinary uncountable usage of behaviour? The countable form means "action", some act that a person does. CJ

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous How's it different from the ordinary uncountable usage of behaviour?
  • The countable form means "action", some act that a person does.
  • CJ
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5 Answers
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AnonymousHow's it different from the ordinary uncountable usage of behaviour?
The countable form means "action", some act that a person does.

CJ
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Thank you, CalifJim.
So did you mean I can swap the two behaviours with an action and actions each?
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AnonymousSo did you mean I can swap the two behaviours with an action and actions each?
Yes, for purposes of paraphrasing, i.e., to make the meaning clearer for learners, but to do so is to make the sentences less idiomatic. Native speakers say "behaviours" in those cases, not "actions". "actions" is an extremely general concept, and it's always better to be
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CalifJim "actions" is an extremely general concept, and it's always better to be more specific (by using "behaviors" in this case).
So I'm guessing a behaviour / behaviours could be replaced with a pattern / patterns of behaviour,
but I'm sure about it.
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AnonymousSo I'm guessing a behaviour / behaviours could be replaced with a pattern / patterns of behaviour
Maybe that helps you understand it in some way, but you can't replace it directly into your original sentence. A pattern is always more than one of something.

This is a question mark and a period: ? .

This is a pattern of question marks
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