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In English, mass nouns are characterized by the impossibility of being directly modified by a numeral without specifying a unit of measurement and by the impossibility of being combined with an indefinite article (a or an). Thus, the mass noun "water" is quantified as "20 litres of water" while the count noun "chair" is quantified as "20 chairs".
For example, in "seven-eighths of an apple" the fraction acts as a noun. Compare that to "seven slices of apple" where "apple" is a mass noun and does not require the article "an". Combining the two, e.g. "seven-eighths of a slice of apple", makes it clear the fraction must be a noun referring to a part of another countable noun.
The word data is most often used as a singular collective mass noun in educated everyday usage. [1] [2] However, due to the history and etymology of the word, considerable controversy has existed on whether it should be considered a mass noun used with verbs conjugated in the singular, or should be treated as the plural of the now-rarely-used datum.
Mass noun From the plural form : This is a redirect from a plural noun to its singular form. This redirect link is used for convenience; it is often preferable to add the plural directly after the link (for example, [[link]]s ).
The idea of the "universal grinder" is that, while count nouns usually denote whole, distinct objects (such as a steak, two steaks), the equivalent mass noun connotes a non-distinct quantity of whatever constitutes these objects (some steak). The universal grinder suggests that most count nouns can be used as mass nouns, when the distinct thing ...
Widely used as a noun and verb. [108] De facto loss of trademark in the UK. [122] Hula hoop: Toy hoop Wham-O [123] Indomie: Instant noodle: Indofood: Common in Indonesia and Nigeria as a genericized mark for any instant noodle. Jacuzzi: Hot tub or whirlpool bath Jacuzzi [124] Jandals: Flip-flops: ACTSTA
English also uses no article before a mass noun or a plural noun if the reference is indefinite and not specifically identifiable in context. [4] For example: Generic mass noun: Happiness is contagious. Generic plural noun: Cars have accelerators. Generic plural noun: They want equal rights. Indefinite mass noun: I drink coffee.
Hatmehit's name is typically translated as "Foremost of Fish", literally from the words ḥꜢt "Chief, head, foremost" and mḥyt "fish" (as a mass noun). However, the word mḥyt in Hatmehit's name does not include the fish determinative, which allows it to have a double meaning. The root of mḥyt is mḥj, which also means "to flood ...