Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Joseph@Shiga]

Hi guys

I am so often bothered in translating uncountable nouns which
confuse readers, in terms of coincidence of the numbers, if not
written in plural forms.
Give me a good hints for pluralizing the following words (in technical writing):

data
information: information items?
noise
force (physical)
timing
flux
processing

Thanks in advance
Joseph@Shiga

[lotus]

Hi Joseph,

data
Data is already the plural of datum. However, because of it prevalence, sometimes it is used as singular.

datum point
data point

information: information items?
Information is generally a mass noun (singular). As an adjective, its form is "informational."

lots of information
informational material

noise
Noise in electronics is a mass noun, and is almost always singular.

white noise
pink noise
transient noise
noise floor (here, it is an adjective)

force (physical)
In physics, force can be singular or plural.

gravitational force
vector force
vector sum of the forces

timing
Timing as a noun is generally singular.

The timing of the circuit was determined by the 555.

flux
Flux is usually singular. It means either the lines of force, or the rate of flow. It can also mean the compound used for tinning in soldering, in which case it is still singular.

The coil wires cut through the magnetic flux lines to produce a current.
He applied flux before soldering the joint.

An interesting note is that Differential Calculus was originally named Fluxions, which means flow (flux) or continuous change. This definition, I think, is more appropriate for this branch of mathematics, as it uses the concept of change (the derivative) as its underlying principle.

processing
Processing is usually singular, as it means the act of transforming information, etc.

data processing
signal processing


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[Joseph@Shiga]

Hi Lotus-san

Arigatoh-*beep*.
(Appreciate from heart.)

Joseph@Shiga