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Are 'tradition, custom, death' countable?

 
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Allouie



Joined: 10 May 2006
Posts: 36

PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:37 am    Post subject: Are 'tradition, custom, death' countable? Reply with quote

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.
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YUKIKO
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Kristea



Joined: 17 Nov 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Minneapolis, MN USA

PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Are 'tradition, custom, death' countable? Reply with quote

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
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Allouie



Joined: 10 May 2006
Posts: 36

PostPosted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thank you, Kristi.

Deciding either countable or uncountable depending on context is really difficult. I need more practice.......
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