Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[juliete]

When I want to use 'content' in the same meaning as 1-1, 2-1, and 3-1 in http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/student/viewtopic.php?t=19698 , which is correct in the following each set of sentences?

1-1: This is a content.
1-2: This is content.
1-3: These are contents.

2-1: I like these kinds of contents.
2-2: I like these kinds of content.

3-1: They're creating a lot of content.
3-2: They're creating a lot of contents.

To Mr./Miss redset,
I'm sorry I post the similar question as in http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/student/viewtopic.php?t=19698 , but I need the help. Excuse me.

[lotus]

Hi juliete,

Knowing their definitions will help in determining their usage.

Content is not the same as contents, especially when used in reference to different types of media content categories. You gave examples of contents market, contents business and contents industry. These are specific types of markets, businesses and industries (although they may encompass many types of media). Since they are specific, we say it like "the contents market" as corrected in the 2nd sentences:

1-1: Content market is growing rapidly.
1-2: (The) contents market is growing rapidly.

2-1: Content industry is growing rapidly.
2-2: (The) contents industry is growing rapidly.

3-1: Content business is growing rapidly.
3-2: (The) contents business is growing rapidly.

"Content" is that which is contained inside of something else and is usually singular. The collection of all that content are "the contents", plural.

1-1: This is a content. (not common wordage)
1-2: This is (the) content.
1-3: These are (the) contents.

2-1: I like these kinds of contents.
2-2: I like these kinds of content. (I like this kind of content.)

3-1: They're creating a lot of content.
3-2: They're creating a lot of contents. (not common wordage)

In summary, "content" is generically defined as the "stuff" inside of something else. Whereas, "contents" are specific kinds of "stuff", especially when used as an adjective as in "contents market."


--lotus

[juliete]

Hi lotus

Do you mean that not 'content' but 'contents' is the only correct form to be used when I want mean the umbrella name of movies, photos, music, computer games, web contents, and so on?

In other words, are only 1-3, 2-1, 3-2 correct when I want mean the umbrella name of movies, photos, music, computer games, web contents, and so on?

Thank you!

[lotus]

Hi Linh,

Quote:
Do you mean that not 'content' but 'contents' is the only correct form to be used when I want mean the umbrella name of movies, photos, music, computer games, web contents, and so on?

You're looking for a definition. First define what's in bold, then think about how you should use it. Give me a short definition of what's in bold, then we can proceed with the proper form.


--lotus

[juliete]

Hi lotus,

The definition is as follows:
the umbrella name of movies, photos, music, computer games, information or data on the web, and so on.

I don' t know any better definition than above.
Let me call the umbrella name 'cntent/contents.' 'Content/contents' is often used as follows:

(1)The copyright of 'cntent/contents' is often infringed.
(2)As the result of the developent of IT, 'content/contents' is/are easily copied.
(3)'Content/contents' market is growing rapidly.
(4)web 'content/contents.'

Thank you!

[lotus]

Hi juliete,

Let's call it "media contents."

(1)The copyright of 'cntent/contents' is often infringed.
The copyright of media contents are often infringed.

(2)As the result of the developent of IT, 'content/contents' is/are easily copied.
As the result of the development of IT, media contents are easily copied.

(3)'Content/contents' market is growing rapidly.
The media contents market is growing rapidly.

(4)web 'content/contents.' (web contents is a subset of media contents)
The web contents market is rapidly growing.


--lotus

[juliete]

Hi lotus,

I think many people use without 'media.' In other words, they simply say 'content' or 'contents.' So I'd like to express it in one word.

Can I say just 'contents' instead of 'media contents'?

If it's possible, can I ask what you think about redset's opinion on http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/student/viewtopic.php?t=19698 ? But if you don't want to give a reply to this question, please ignore this question.

Thank you!

[damon@English24/7]

Hi Lotus and Juliete,

"Media content" is most definately uncountable.

1. "Media content`s copyright is often infringed."

2. "As a result of the development of IT, media content is easily copied."

3. "The media content market is growing rapidly." I think you need to better describe media in this sentence because "the media content" is too non-specific; try "mass-media," "television media," "internet-media" or "web-media."

4. "The web-content market is rapidly growing."

Additionally, content can also mean to be happy or satisfied and contents, though not often used, would be people who are happy and satisfied.

damon

[lotus]

Ok,

So just replace "media contents" with "the contents."

(1)The copyright of 'cntent/contents' is often infringed.
The copyright of the contents are often infringed.

(2)As the result of the developent of IT, 'content/contents' is/are easily copied.
As the result of the development of IT, the contents are easily copied.

(3)'Content/contents' market is growing rapidly.
The contents market is growing rapidly.

(4)web 'content/contents.' (web contents is a subset of media contents)
The contents market is rapidly growing.

Without the modifying adjective, the sentences are a little more vague. But, that might be ok under proper context.


--lotus

[damon@English24/7]

Hi,

It is still uncountable.

damon

[juliete]

Hi damon@English24/7,

Which is correct in the following set of sentences when I want to mean media content?

4-1: I like these kinds of content.
4-2: I like these kinds of contents.

5-1: They're creating a lot of content.
3-2: They're creating a lot of contents.

Thank you.

[juliete]

Hi damon@English24/7

Sorry but I hadn't read your reply on
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/student/viewtopic.php?t=19698 . Now I understand your thought well. Please ignore my post jsut above this post, the post that begins with ''Which is correct ...."

Thank you.

[juliete]

Two teachers say "Content is correct," and one teacher say "Contents is correct." So I'm confused.

Would some other teachers post about which is correct, content or contents?

Thank you.

[damon@English24/7]

Lotus,

Are you sure, when you say "contents" can be used to mean "specific kinds of stuff," that it can be used with very general words like media and industry. "The contents of a box;" "the contents of a book;" or "the contents of an mp3 player" all work fine, but I don`t think media and industry are specific enough to be used this way. I think maybe you are confusing the noun content which means that which is contained (in a box), or means the substance of a work (of fiction, or music, or a website) with the adjective which means satisfied. It can also be used as a noun that means someone who is satisfied.

Or, maybe I am missing something.

[redset]

For what it's worth, I've never heard anyone take content in this context and pluralise it. Don't worry about other meanings of content and contents juliete, just remember that for the things you're describing you use the word content, and it's an uncountable noun.