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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Use of expectation

I know that 'expectation' can function as a count and non count noun. Is it a count or non count in the below example?

We have a high expectation.
We have high expectation.

Or can it maybe be both here?
  

Top answer

Anonymous Is it a count or non count in the below example? As an object of "have", it's nearly always the countable plural. We have high expectations (of you).

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous Is it a count or non count in the below example?
  • As an object of "have", it's nearly always the countable plural.
  • We have high expectations (of you).
  • CJ
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15 Answers
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AnonymousIs it a count or non count in the below example?
As an object of "have", it's nearly always the countable plural.

We have high expectations (of you).

CJ
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CalifJim AnonymousIs it a count or non count in the below example?As an object of "have", it's nearly always the countable plural.We have high expectations (of you).CJ
I see thanks CJ

So what about the examples I gave.

Are you saying that if I am to use the singular it has to be "have a high expectation" and not "have high expectation"?
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Anonymousif I am to use the singular it has to be "have a high expectation" and not "have high expectation"?
Yes. And I'm also saying you should use 'have high expectations' instead of 'have a high expectation'.

CJ
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Anonymous I know that 'expectation' can function as a count and non count noun. Is it a count or non count in the below example?We have a high expectation.We have high expectation.Or can it maybe be both here?
Ask yourself this: if a count noun by definition is one that can combine with the cardinal numbers, "one", "two", "three", etc., then how can "expectati
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CalifJim Anonymousif I am to use the singular it has to be "have a high expectation" and not "have high expectation"?Yes. And I'm also saying you should use 'have high expectations' instead of 'have a high expectation'.CJ
Got it. The use of the plural "have high expectations" is better than "have a high expectation".
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BillJ Anonymous I know that 'expectation' can function as a count and non count noun. Is it a count or non count in the below example?We have a high expectation.We have high expectation.Or can it maybe be both here?Ask yourself this: if a count noun by definition is one that can combine with the cardinal numbers, "one", "two", "three", etc., then how can "expectation" be
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AnonymousDid you mean "how can it be a non count noun?
No. BillJ meant exactly what he wrote.

How can you expect "expectation" to be a count noun where these phrases are wrong: "one expectation"....
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AlpheccaStars AnonymousDid you mean "how can it be a non count noun?No. BillJ meant exactly what he wrote.How can you expect "expectation" to be a count noun where these phrases are wrong: "one expectation"....
Oh. They sounded possible to me. I thought we can say "one expectation", "two expectations"...

Then how can we say "a high expectation" as CJ
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AlpheccaStarsHow can you expect "expectation" to be a count noun where these phrases are wrong: "one expectation"....
... the consequence of which is that there is no answer to the question "How many expectations are being referred to in each of the following sentences?" because "One expectation" is presumably an impossible answer.
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CalifJim AlpheccaStarsHow can you expect "expectation" to be a count noun where these phrases are wrong: "one expectation"....... the consequence of which is that there is no answer to the question "How many expectations are being referred to in each of the following sentences?" because "One expectation" is presumably an impossible answer. It underlines the expectation th
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