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Snvplayer Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Why is "opportunity" plural in this case, or does not have an article?

That their children are chasing OPPORTUNITY on the other side of the globe, is a fact hard to comprehend.

Shouldn't it have an article or be in plural? In which cases, nouns (connection, meeting, etc) such as this can be used w/o an article?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

Shouldn't it have an article or be in plural? It could be plural (no article would be used, however, since it means 'general opportunities')—but it is fine and common in the original sentence as an uncountable noun. snvplayer In which cases, nouns (connection, meeting, etc) such as this can be used w/o an article?

— Mister Micawber

  • Shouldn't it have an article or be in plural?
  • It could be plural (no article would be used, however, since it means 'general opportunities')—but it is fine and common in the original sentence as an uncountable noun.
  • snvplayer In which cases, nouns (connection, meeting, etc) such as this can be used w/o an article?
  • When they are generalized plurals and when they are uncountable concepts, qualities, etc.
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4 Answers
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snvplayerThat their children are chasing OPPORTUNITY on the other side of the globe, is a fact hard to comprehend.Shouldn't it have an article or be in plural?
It could be plural (no article would be used, however, since it means 'general opportunities')—but it is fine and common in the original sentence as an uncountable noun.
snvplayer
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Thanks for the explanation. So, either "I am looking for business connection", "~ a business connection", or "connections" would be correct?

I find it difficult to distinguish when it is countable or uncountable with this type of nouns.
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'Connection' is odd there as an uncountable. It is a matter of experience as to which nouns are used countably or uncountably or both. There is no rule.
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