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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Variable nouns uncovered
I have a question on usage of variable nouns. How can I know more clearly when to use the countable and uncountable nature of a variable noun? Is there some kind of formula I can use? Is context the only factor to consider when making those decisions? Some variables nouns are very confusing to know when to use them in a general sense and in a particular sense.
Top answer
Hi Believer, I wish I had a hard-and-fast formula for you, but I think it's something you will get a feel for over time. Two things that may help. One has been commented on a lot, and that is the "restaurant" situation, when usually uncountable nouns are counted.
- Hi Believer, I wish I had a hard-and-fast formula for you, but I think it's something you will get a feel for over time.
- Two things that may help.
- One has been commented on a lot, and that is the "restaurant" situation, when usually uncountable nouns are counted.
- We'd like a coffee, a Coke, and two waters, please.
- The other is when you talk about the different TYPES of the uncountable noun.
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2 Answers
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Hi Believer,
I wish I had a hard-and-fast formula for you, but I think it's something you will get a feel for over time. Two things that may help.
One has been commented on a lot, and that is the "restaurant" situation, when usually uncountable nouns are counted. We'd like a coffee, a Coke, and two waters, please.
The other is when you talk about the different TYPES of t
I wish I had a hard-and-fast formula for you, but I think it's something you will get a feel for over time. Two things that may help.
One has been commented on a lot, and that is the "restaurant" situation, when usually uncountable nouns are counted. We'd like a coffee, a Coke, and two waters, please.
The other is when you talk about the different TYPES of t
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Thank you very much.
I was looking at my teenager friend's Collins/Cobuild Compact English Learner's Dictionary and it had these definitions among many for the word "exercise."
exercise 2. an uncountable noun and a verb: When you exercise, you move your body energetically in order to get fit and remain healthy. The activity is referred to as exercise. 3. a countable noun: Exercis
I was looking at my teenager friend's Collins/Cobuild Compact English Learner's Dictionary and it had these definitions among many for the word "exercise."
exercise 2. an uncountable noun and a verb: When you exercise, you move your body energetically in order to get fit and remain healthy. The activity is referred to as exercise. 3. a countable noun: Exercis
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