Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teacher,

What do you call minerals, metals?

Best regards,
Hela

[Bob S.]

[hela]

yes. Is "mineral" (the chemical substance) the same as "ore"? Which metals can we make out of minerals or ore ?

Thanks,
Hela

[asterix]

Ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which metal or other minerals may be extracted.

Minerals are any of the species into which inorganic sustances may be classified. They are often obtained by mining etc..

[hela]

Is "ore" uncountable? What about "foodstuff", can we say "foodstuffs"? If yes, how come "stuff" is uncountable then?

In an exercise it is said that "funds" in the following sentence is countable but I disagree since the word is always used in the plural. What is your view?

"It took great courage for Farboddy to admit to embezzling funds from the bank."

All the best,
Hela

[bud]

Good questions as always, Hela!

"Ore" is like "fish" in that the plural is usually the same as the singular. In instances when you want to make clear that you are referring to different kinds of ore/fish, then the "s" (or "es") is appropriate.

"Foodstuff" is countable so the plural takes an "s." "Stuff" is a very general, undescriptive word that is uncountable. An individual foodstuff would usually be uncountable, I'd say (e.g., wheat, butter), but when you have more than one kind of foodstuff, it becomes countable (much like "ore" and "fish").

Funds are certainly countable. Farboddy knew how much he embezzled from the bank. Also, "fund" can be singular... Every paycheck, I put $5 into my Rainy Day Fund.

[hela]

Dear Bud,

Thank you very much for your reply. But isn't that "funds" and "fund" have a different meaning?
In my view "funds" = money, whereas "fund" is some kind of savings; but of course I can be wrong.

Kind regards,
Hela

[bud]

Yes, you're right, Hela.