(13) Nouns and their Countability
(The Relationship to Definiteness and Number; The Semantico-Grammatical Nature of Countability
and the Degree of Grammaticalisation in English and Czech; Nouns Uncountable in Particular
Meanings; Countability with Abstract Nouns; Lexical Means of Singularisation)
(13.1) Countability as a Grammatical Category
[see (8.2.1)]
(13.2) Countable Nouns
(1)
(2)
(3)
-
some countable nouns used with null article in some special situations
particular syntactic positions
of-phrase: the type of sentence, the role of subject, this kind of tree, etc.
particular phrasal use
all / enough + SG: she’s all woman, there’s not enough table for everyone to sit at, etc.
also: in person, step by step, go by train, etc.
idiosyncratic items
the semantic meaning of the article (both definite and indefinite) does not fit into some contexts:
it was morning x it was a sunny morning; he was friend to us, etc.
(13.3) Countable / Uncountable Nouns
(1) material: uncountable x product of the material: countable
- chocolate [čokoláda] x chocolates [čokoládové bonbony], stone [kamení] x precious stones
[drahé kameny], oak [dubovina] x oaks [duby], etc.
(2) abstraction: uncountable x its concrete manifestation: countable
- a fate worse than death x several deaths from drowning; these facts show that x the story is
founded on fact; act without thought x keep one’s thoughts to oneself; listen in silence x there
was a sudden silence; explain in great detail x don’t omit a single detail; etc.
- experience1 = zkušenost: uncountable x experience2 = zážitek: countable (she has too little
experience x it was a grand experience)
(3) substance: uncountable x a kind of substance: countable
- to prefer red wine x to have a large assortment of local wines; tobacco(s), wheat(s), etc.
(3’) substance: uncountable x a portion of the substance: countable
- coffee(s), ice(s), etc.
(4) characteristics: uncountable x a bearer of the characteristics: countable
- beauty x she is a beauty; his writings sparkle with wit x he is a notable wit; a man of genius x he
is a genius; etc.
(5) idiosyncratic items: uncountable in one meaning x countable in another
- fruit [ovoce] x fruits [plody práce]; paper [papír] x papers [noviny]; toast [toast] x toasts
[přípitek]; etc.
(13.4) Uncountable Nouns
(1) collective nouns, composite objects
(2) names of materials, abstractions, substances, characteristics
(3) most of singularia / pluralia tantum
(4) partially converted adjectives
(5) idiosyncratic items
- CZ x E differences: evidence, information, homework, knowledge, luggage, money, news, etc.
countable in CZ x uncountable in E
- some uncountable nouns can be used with an indefinite article when modified: get up in
darkness x an oppressive darkness; by general consent x an unwilling consent; etc.
- x uncountable even when modified: great fun, hard luck, great happiness, etc.
(13.5) Lexical Means of Singularisation
(1) special lexical items to use uncountable nouns as countable: these lexical items have then little
semantic meaning
- an act of friendliness / kindness / mercy; an article of news / clothing / furniture; a bar of
chocolate; a bit of advice / information / knowledge; a cake of soap; a case of measles / mumps;
a fit of anger / coughing / enthusiasm; a flash of lighting; an item of news / interest / evidence;
a loaf of bread / cheese; a lump of sugar; a piece of luggage / chalk / advice; a point of
interest; a sheet of iron / metal / paper; a shred of evidence; a slice of bread / cake / cheese; a
stroke of good luck / misfortune / success; a word of advice / counsel
(2) some uncountable nouns > countable synonyms
- work > jobs; housework > chores; imagination > fancies; etc.
(2’) uncountable nouns ending in –ing > countable converted nouns as synonyms
- smoking > have a smoke; breathing > take a deep breath; etc.
(3) uncountable pluralia tantum referring to people / names of nationalities > countable synonyms
with man/men
- the sick > the sick people; the poor > a poor man; the English > the Englishmen; etc.