Chapter 16 – The Noun - Additional sentences for translation: rules
1. The Swiss and the Japanese are interested in this invention.
16.8.c Nouns having one form for the singular and the plural: a number of nouns
denoting inhabitants of a country or a town
2. There are thousands of kinds of butterflies.
16.12 In general, the plural is used when the number is more than one.
3. Shall I give you some good advice? (Shall I give you a good piece of advice?)
16.10 (more or less) Some nouns are noncount in English but can be count nouns in
Dutch. “a piece” is a numerative that can make some nouns countable, such as furniture
and information.
4. This information doesn’t help us at all.
16.10 Some nouns are singular (noncount) in English but can be plural in Dutch.
5. These pieces of antique furniture will be auctioned at Sotheby’s next month.
16.10 numerative: ‘pieces of’ makes furniture into a count noun.
6. His strength was exhausted.
16.10 Almost always singular in English, can be plural in Dutch
7. He (has) had to sell his two businesses in Manchester.
16.10 Business can be a count noun (ondernemingen) and a noncount noun (Business is
bad because of the economic crisis).
8. More videos have been (were) sold this year than last year.
16.4 Exception to the rule “when a noun ends in consonant + o, the plural is formed by
adding –es
9. Not all language items/occurrences can be explained by means of grammar rules.
16.9.b other nouns that are always plural in English but singular in Dutch
10. Various steel factories/mills have (been) closed.
9.8.b Dutch often begins a passive sentence with er, but English rarely starts a passive
sentence with there
11. Where are the pliers?
16.9.a Nouns that denote an object consisting of two equal parts are plural in English
and singular in Dutch (also scissors, trousers, pyjamas, binoculars, glasses)
12. These trousers (pants) don’t fit.
16.9.a Nouns that denote an object consisting of two equal parts are plural in English
and singular in Dutch (also scissors, trousers, pyjamas, binoculars, glasses)
13. The profits from the auction were disappointing.
16.9.b other nouns that are always plural in English but singular in Dutch
14. Politics has always appealed to me
.16.9.b Nouns ending in –ics can always be followed by a plural verb
15. The media gave completely different analyses of the new government policy.
16.7.d plural of nouns ending in –is/-us/-um/-on: ‘foreign’ nouns with different plurals
16. It is very difficult to draw a circle without compasses. (BrE!)
16.9.a Nouns that denote an object consisting of two equal parts are plural in English
and singular in Dutch (also scissors, trousers, pyjamas, binoculars, glasses)
17. Be careful: the contents of this bottle are toxic/poisonous.
16.9.b other nouns that are always plural in English but singular in Dutch
18. The content of his speech was not new.
16.9.b exception (figurative!)
19. The surroundings of Exeter are supposed to be very beautiful.
16.9.b other nouns that are always plural in English but singular in Dutch
20. These binoculars are very expensive.
16.9.a Nouns that denote an object consisting of two equal parts are plural in English
and singular in Dutch (also scissors, trousers, pyjamas, binoculars, glasses)
21. He claimed damages.
16.9.b other nouns that are always plural in English but singular in Dutch
22. All his riches have not made him happy.
16.9.b other nouns that are always plural in English but singular in Dutch
23. He invested all of his savings in stocks.
16.9.b other nouns that are always plural in English but singular in Dutch
24. Ajax is playing an away match tomorrow. / Ajax are (if you mean the individual
members of the team)
16.11.a Collective nouns are take a singular verb when you mean the group, and a
plural verb when you mean the individuals. Often used without any difference in
meaning!
25. Can you change a ten-pound note?
16.12 The singular is used when the noun is preceded by a numeral + hyphen 26. The majority of the miners were opposed to the strike.
16.12 (more or less): use the plural verb in English after a plural noun preceded by
majority, minority, or per cent
27. The police have been trying to arrest the gang for weeks.
16.11.b collective nouns that are always followed by a plural verb
28. A twenty-four-year-old lorry driver and his passenger lost their lives in the accident.
16.? Plural verb after several nouns that belong together
29. Actually, you should always carry a spare pair of glasses/spectacles.
16.9.a Nouns that denote an object consisting of two equal parts are plural in English
and singular in Dutch (also scissors, trousers, pyjamas, binoculars, glasses)
30. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, science made enormous progress.
(advancements)
16.? Plural verb after several nouns that belong together
16.10 Some nouns are singular (noncount) in English but can be plural in Dutch.
31. The employees are going to/on strike.
16.12 Plural in English with more than one