Problems with NounsMeeting 4

Matakuliah : G0794/Bahasa InggrisTahun : 2007

Contents

• Singular and Plural Nouns (Irregular)• Concept of Nouns in English• Countable and Uncountable Nouns• Distinguishing person from the thing• Abstract, concrete and proper Nouns

Irregular nouns

Although most nouns have plurals formed according to regular rules, some nouns have unusual, or irregular plurals.

Noun type

Forming the plural Examples

Ends with - fe

Change f to vthenAdd -s

knife - kniveslife - liveswife - wives

Ends with - f

Change f to vthenAdd -es

half - halveswolf - wolvesloaf - loaves

Noun type

Forming the plural

Examples

Ends with -o

Add -es potato - potatoestomato - tomatoesvolcano - volcanoes

ends with -us

Change -us to -i cactus - cactinucleus - nucleifocus - foci

Noun type

Forming the plural Examples

ends with -is

Change -is to -esanalysis - analyses

analysis - analysescrisis - crisesthesis - theses

ends with -on

Change -on to -a phenomenon - phenomenacriterion - criteria

Noun type

Forming the plural Examples

ALL KINDS Change the vowelor

Change the wordor

Add a different ending

man - menfoot - feetchild - childrenperson - peopletooth - teethmouse - mice

Unchanging Singular and pluralare the same

Sheepdeerfish (sometimes)

Count or Noncount?

• The main difference between count and noncount nouns is whether you can count the things they refer to or not.

• Count nouns refer to things that exist as separate and distinct individual units. They usually refer to what can be perceived by the senses.

Example sentences:

• I stepped in a puddle. (How many puddles did you step in? Just one.)

• I drank a glass of milk. (Glasses of milk can be counted)

• I saw an apple tree. (Apple trees can be counted)

Noncount nouns

• Noncount nouns refer to things that can't be counted because they are thought of as wholes that can't be cut into parts. They often refer to abstractions and occasionally have a collective meaning (for example, furniture).

Example

• I dove into the water. (How many waters did you dive into? The question doesn't make any sense; therefore water is noncountable.)

• I saw the milk spill. (How many milks? Milk cannot be counted.)

• I admired the foliage. (How many foliages? Foliage cannot be counted.)

Concrete vs. Abstract Nouns

A concrete noun names something you can experience with one of your five senses; that is, a concrete noun names something you can see (like the moon), touch (like a blanket), smell (like a rose), hear (like laughter), or taste (like sugar).

An abstract noun names feelings (such as jealousy and attraction), ideas (such as peace and freedom), and qualities (such as generosity and determination). Abstract nouns do not exist as physical objects in the world; we cannot see, touch, smell, hear or taste our feelings, ideas, and qualities.