Countable and Uncountable Nouns
-- A Comparison Between Two Dictionaries
王程程
I would like to compare two dictionaries, Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Englsih-Chinese Dictionary (Fourth edition) and Longman
Dictionary of Contemporary English (2004), concerning countable and
uncountable nouns. Nowadays most of the dictionaries divide nouns into
countable ones and uncountable ones. The distinction between
‘countable’ and ‘uncountable’ nouns was first recognized by Jepersen,
and it was Hornby who first introduced the abbreviations [C] and [U].
Both of the Oxford dictionary and the Longman dictionary use [C]
and [U] to represent countable and uncountable nouns, so this is the
biggest common feature of the two dictionaries. As for other similarities
and differences, we have to compare separately. As a result, I divide
nouns into three categores: countable nouns, uncountable nouns, both
countable and uncountable nouns.
First let’s look at the countable nouns. This kind of nouns still can be
classified into two groups: the one that has regular plural forms, and the
other that has irregular forms.
The two dictionaries deal with nouns of regular plural forms in
different ways. In the Oxford dictionary, these nouns are signalled by the
omission of the label [C], while in the Longman dictionary, by the use of
the label. Take the word ‘applicant’ as an example.
applicant /…/ n ~ (for sth) person who applies, esp for a job, etc 申请人
(尤指为求职等): As the wages were low, there were few applicants for
the job. 因为工资低，没有什么人申请这份工作。
-- from Oxford dictionary
applicant /…/ n [C] someone who has formally asked, usually in writing,
for a job, university place etc 申请人
-- from Longman dictionary
We can see easily the difference between the two explanations of the
same word from the examples. As far as I am concerned, the label [C]
should be added to the explanation of the nouns, because it is convenient
for the users, especially for beginners.
As for the countable nouns with irregular plural forms, the two
dictionaries also have disagreements. Both the dictionaries give the
irregular plural forms of the word right after the headword and shows the
plural label before the plural forms. However, the Oxford dictionary gives
the plural form with omission line in brackets, whereas the Longman
dictionary gives without omission line or brackets. On the other hand, if a
word has two different plural forms, the Oxford may give them separately
as long as there is different usages, but the Longman would not do so.
appendix /…/ n 1 (pl –dices /…/) section that gives extra information at
the end of a book or document 附录: This dictionary has several
appendices, including one on irregular verbs. 这部词典有几项附录，包
括不规则动词附录。2 (pl -dixes) (also vermiform appendix) small
tube-shaped bag of tissue attached to the intestine 阑尾. …
-- from Oxford dictionary
appendix /…/ n plural appendixes or appendices /…/ [C] 1 a small organ
near your
BOWEL
…阑尾…2 a part at the end of book containing
additional information [书末的]附录
-- from Longman dictionary
The similarity and differences said above can be seen from these two
examples clearly. In this aspect, I think the Oxford does much well than
the Longman.
After the countable nouns, it’s time to discuss the uncountable ones.
The two dictionaries do much the same with the signal [U] added, and
then give the explanations of the headword. For example:
appendicitis /…/ n [U] inflammation of the appendix(2) 阑尾炎
-- from Oxford dictionary
appendicitis /…/ n [U] an illness in which your
APPENDIX(1)
swells and
causes pain 阑尾炎，盲肠炎
-- from Longman dictionary
At last, it’s the turn of the nouns both countable and uncountable.
The two dictionaries deal with these nouns similarly. Both of them give
the signal [U] and [C], and also explain the uncountable one first.
appetite /…/ n 1 [U] physical desire, esp for food or pleasure 肉体的欲
望(尤指对食物或享乐)；食欲；胃口: …2 [C] instance of a natural desire
for sth (对某事物的)自然的欲望: …
-- from Oxford dictionary
appetite /…/ n 1 [U] a desire for food 食欲，胃口: …2 [C] a desire or
liking for a particular activity 欲望；喜爱: …
-- from Longman dictionary
Concerning the uncountable nouns and the last kind of nouns, the
two dictionaries explain them in the similar way which is in accordance
with users’ habits. However, there may be big disagreements in some
nouns. For instance, some words may be considered as countable nouns
by the Oxford dictionary, but may be both countable and uncountable by
the Longman dictionary, such as the word ‘apple’.
apple /…/ n 1 (a) round fruit with firm juicy flesh and green, red or
yellow skin when ripe 苹果: … (b) (also apple tree) tree bearing this fruit
苹果树. 2 (idm 习语) …
-- from Oxford dictionary
apple /…/ n [C,U] 1 a hard round fruit that has red, light green, or yellow
skin and is white inside 苹果: …2 … 3 …
-- from Longman dictionary
From the comparisons above, we can see that different dictionaries
may have different ways to deal with countable or uncountable nouns,
although they also have similaries. The main reason for the differences is
that different dictionaries have different purposes, different inclines and
different target readership. As for the Oxford dictionary and the Longman
dictionary, they both have advantages and disadvantages concerning
nouns in my opinion. As a result, new editions are still necessay.