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got ur msg wil b @ bbq @ 9 2 bsy atm, tlk IBr if Uv tym, send pix kids need mo infmtn
See you later. Are you coming today? Thanks for a great party. Just to let you know. Will you be here Thursday evening? Are you OK? Got your message. Will be at barbecue at 9. Too busy at the moment, talk later. If you have time, send pictures of kids. Need more information.
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problems
Usually it is easy to see whether a noun is countable or uncountable. Obviously house is normally a countable noun, and sand is not. But it is not always so clear: compare a journey (countable) and travel (uncountable); a glass (countable) and glass (uncountable); vegetables (countable) and fruit (uncountable). The following rules will help, but to know exactly how a particular noun can be used, it is necessary to check in a good dictionary. page 128
Note that when uncountable English words are borrowed by other languages, they may change into countable words with different meanings (for example parking means the activity of parking in general, but French un parking means 'a car park').
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countable and uncountable nouns Cl): basic information 148 - I'd like some typing paper. I'm going out to buy a paper (= a newspaper) - The window's made of unbreakable glass. Would you like a glass of water? Nouns for materials, liquids etc can be countable when they are used to talk about different types. Not all washing powders are kind to your hands. We have a selection of fine wines at very good prices. The same thing happens when we talk about ordering drinks. Compare: Have you got any coffee? Could I have two coffees? (= cups of coffee)
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countable and uncountable nouns (2): advanced points 149 7 illnesses The names of illnesses are usually singular uncountable in English, including those ending in os. If you'ue already had measles, you can't get it again. There's a lot of flu around at the moment. The words for some minor ailments are countable: e.g. a cold, a sore throat, a headache. However, toothache, earache, stomach-ache and backache are usually uncountable in British English. In American English, these words are generally countable if they refer to particular attacks of pain. Compare: I've got toothache. (BrE) I have a toothache. (AmE)
For the with measles, flu etc, see 70.14. For more information on the use of articles with countable and uncountable nouns, see 65.
advanced points
1 20 square metres of wall
Singular countable nouns are sometimes used as uncountables (e.g. with much, enough, plenty of or a lot ofJ in order to express the idea of amount. There's enough paint for 20 square metres of wall. I've got too much nose and not enough chin. If you buy one of these you get plenty of car for your money.
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country 150
plural uncountables
Some uncountable nouns are plural. They have no singular forms with the same meaning, and cannot normally be used with numbers. I've bought the groceries. (Bur NOT ... a grocery. OR ... three groceries.) The Dover customs have found a large shipment of cocaine. (Bur NOT 'Fhe Dever custem htts ... ) Many thanks for your help. (BUT NOT Much thank ... )
For details, see 524.7.
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country
countable use
Country (countable) = 'nation', 'land'.
Scotland is a cold country. France is the country I know best. How many countries are there in Europe?
uncountable use
Country (uncountable) = 'open land without many buildings'. I like wild country best. With this meaning, we cannot say a country or countries. My parents live in nice country near Belfast. (NOT ... in a nice ceuntry ... ) The expression the country (the opposite of the town) is very common. We live in the country just outside Manchester. Would you rather live in the town or the country?
For information about countable and uncountable nouns, see 148-149.
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