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Allouie
Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 36
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:37 am Post subject: Are 'tradition, custom, death' countable? |
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Can I use the words, 'tradition', 'custom' and 'death' as a coutable noun?
Could you tell me whether the sentences below are grammartically correct?
-Tuberculosis was the top cause of deaths at that time.
-The traditions and customs of each country will not vanish, no matter how borderless the globe becomes.
Thank you. _________________ YUKIKO |
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Kristea
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 167 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Are 'tradition, custom, death' countable? |
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| Allouie wrote: |
Can I use the words, 'tradition', 'custom' and 'death' as a coutable noun?
Could you tell me whether the sentences below are grammartically correct?
-Tuberculosis was the top cause of deaths at that time.
-The traditions and customs of each country will not vanish, no matter how borderless the globe becomes.
Thank you. |
All three can be countable, but context is everything. In your first example, I would say just "death," but in the second I would keep them plural/count.
Hope that helps - Kristi _________________ "That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson |
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Allouie
Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 36
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:40 am Post subject: |
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thank you, Kristi.
Deciding either countable or uncountable depending on context is really difficult. I need more practice....... _________________ YUKIKO |
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