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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
When using the uncountable aspect of a variable noun
Hi,
This question is not directed to Mr. M because he seemed to have told us that he is weary of answering this type of questions and I also think he told us he will not do so for a while; and I respect that.
For those who are not weary, risking my being taken as being greedy??, I want to ask this question.
When you have variable nouns like "exposure" and "input," I think Mr. Goodman and others have said that it is context where the ball is being played at. Fine. My next question is this.
When you have variable nouns (not mass nouns), is the uncountable part ALWAYS played out as its quality or nature?? Look at the bottom examples.
The two words, exposure and input, are used as examples.
Gain more exposure. (being used to mean the quality or nature of the exposure)
Gain more exposures. (counts individual acts of the exposures)
I want your input. (input being used in terms of its qualilty and nature.)
I want your inputs. (inputs in individual terms)
Thank you.
This question is not directed to Mr. M because he seemed to have told us that he is weary of answering this type of questions and I also think he told us he will not do so for a while; and I respect that.
For those who are not weary, risking my being taken as being greedy??, I want to ask this question.
When you have variable nouns like "exposure" and "input," I think Mr. Goodman and others have said that it is context where the ball is being played at. Fine. My next question is this.
When you have variable nouns (not mass nouns), is the uncountable part ALWAYS played out as its quality or nature?? Look at the bottom examples.
The two words, exposure and input, are used as examples.
Gain more exposure. (being used to mean the quality or nature of the exposure)
Gain more exposures. (counts individual acts of the exposures)
I want your input. (input being used in terms of its qualilty and nature.)
I want your inputs. (inputs in individual terms)
Thank you.
Top answer
In a word, yes -- there are many ways of explaining this difference, and your way works just fine. " I don't think it's correct, or at least it sounds awkward. ), the noncount noun refers to the material as a whole, while the countable version of the noun usually refers to all the different types of that material.
- In a word, yes -- there are many ways of explaining this difference, and your way works just fine.
- " I don't think it's correct, or at least it sounds awkward.
- ), the noncount noun refers to the material as a whole, while the countable version of the noun usually refers to all the different types of that material.
- "- refers to lots of water in general.
- " - refers to several types of metals.
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1 Answers
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In a word, yes -- there are many ways of explaining this difference, and your way works just fine.
Just a note, though: I've never seen anyone say "I want your inputs." I don't think it's correct, or at least it sounds awkward.
When talking about material nouns, though (water, metal, etc.), the noncount noun refers to the material as a whole, while the countable version of the no
Just a note, though: I've never seen anyone say "I want your inputs." I don't think it's correct, or at least it sounds awkward.
When talking about material nouns, though (water, metal, etc.), the noncount noun refers to the material as a whole, while the countable version of the no
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