Контрольная работа: Сategory of number of nouns

In all countries the broadest strata of the population have been mobilized in support of this great cause – the preservation of peace.

Then the pied wind-flowers and the tulip tall, and narcissi, the fairest among them all… [22]… the rest of the house had grown, emerging here and there into small oases of modernity. [21] Shelgrim wrote a few memoranda on his calendar pad, and signed a couple of letters before turning to Presley. [14]

Traditionally, the plural is formed by the inflexion – (e) s, the singular form of the nouns is a bare stem with a zero-inflexion. According this there are several ways of the pronunciation of the inflexion – (e) s at the end of the word, also there are several peculiarities in spelling. Some nouns are survivals of Old English plural forms; they form the plural. In many instances where the form in – s is used it may be understood either as the plural form of the common case or as the plural possessive. Some nouns have one form for both singular and plural. Some nouns are partly survivals of the Old English and Latin uninflected plurals, partly forms which came to be used by the analogy of the old unchanged plurals. Some nouns keep the plural form of the language (Latin, French or Greek) from which they have been borrowed.

1.4 Nouns Used in Both Numbers Singular and Plural

It is quite evident that only those nouns have both numbers (singular and plural) which denote things that can be counted, that is, things possessing a certain shape or having precise limits. Such nouns may be called countable or thing-nouns. To the group of nouns which have both numbers belong:

a) Concrete nouns: a girl – two girls; a book – two books; a flower – two flowers.

He took the loaf back to the scullery. [15] Brown, crisp loaves stood on the hearth. [15] Flowers fell on her face, and she shut her eyes… One flower had remained tangled in her hair. [15]

b) Abstract nouns: a day – two days; an event – two events; a task – twotasks.

Captain Cuttle liked this idea very much. [10] A new generation is growing up in our midst, a generation actuated by new ideas and new principles. [11] It was a momentary thought… [10] Andrew went back to Christine that evening with his thoughts in a maze. [23] I tried to shout but my voice was not very loud. [13] Voices and footsteps were heard in the passage… [19]

Nouns which have both numbers (countable) may be used with the indefinite article (in the singular) and associated with the pronouns some (in the singular or plural), many and few (in the plural):

A ring at the bell, repeated several times, roused him at last to go to the door. [21] What a night to wander out in! [21] Towards the evening of the following day…a letter arrived addressed to herself. [19] A, few early fallen oak-leaves strewed the terrace… [21] He had manyinvitations to dinner some of which he accepted. [7] Passing through a sort of porch made by two yew trees and some flowering-current bushes, the girl disappeared into the house. [21]

1.5 Pluralia Tantum and Singularia Tantum

The most general quantitative characteristics of individual words constitute the lexico-grammatical base for dividing the nounal vocabulary as a whole into countable nouns and uncountable nouns. The constant categorial feature «quantitative structure» is directly connected with the variable feature «number», since uncountable nouns are treated grammatically as either singular or plural. Namely, the singular uncountable nouns are modified by the non-discrete quantifiers much or little, and they take the finite verb in the singular, while the plural uncountable nouns take the finite verb in the plural.

The two subclasses of uncountable nouns are usually referred to, respectively, as singularia tantum (only singular) and pluralia tantum (only plural). [27] The nouns which have only a plural and no singular are usually termed «pluralia tantum» (which is the Latin for «plural only»), and those which have only a singular and no plural are termed «singularia tantum» (the Latin for «singular only'') [26] In terms of oppositions we may say that in the formation of the two subclasses of uncountable nouns the number opposition is «constantly» (lexically) reduced either to the weak member (singularia tantum) or to the strong member (pluralia tantum).

Since the grammatical form of the uncountable nouns of the singularia tantum subclass is not excluded from the category of number, it stands to reason to speak of it as the «absolute» singular, as different from the «correlative» or «common» singular of the countable nouns. The absolute singular excludes the use of the modifying numeral one, as well as the indefinite article. [27]

The most general quantitative characteristics of individual words constitute the lexico-grammatical base for dividing the nounal vocabulary as a whole into countable nouns and uncountable nouns. The nouns which have only a plural and no singular are usually termed «pluralia tantum», and those which have only a singular and no plural are termed «singularia tantum».

1.6 Nouns Used Only in the Singular or Singularia Tantum

Nouns denoting things which have neither shape nor precise limits cannot be counted and therefore have no distinction between singular and plural; they are used only in the singular. Such nouns may be called uncountable or mass-nouns. To the group of nouns used only in the singular belong:

a) Concrete nouns:

1. Names of materials: water, milk, wine, snow, bread, air.

On my breakfast table there is a pot of honey. [21]… there was the cool sound of milk dropping into pails… [21] We didn't take beer or wine. [11] Seizing ink and writing-paper, she began to write… [21]

2. Some collective nouns: foliage, leafage, shrubbery, brushwood, linen (белье), machinery, furniture:

Birds fluttered softly in the wet shrubbery… [21] He had chosen the furniture himself. [21]… he took a narrow ride up through a dark bit of mixed timber with heavy undergrowth. (Galsworthy.)

b) Abstract nouns: friendship, joy patriotism, love, kindness, weather, courage, information, progress, etc.: There was a great deal of confusion and laughter and noise… [11] It was beautiful weather . (Lawrence.) At parting, my aunt gave me some good advice… [10] A sudden tide of joy went leaping out of his heart. [11]

Nouns used only in the singular (uncountable) have no article where a noun which expresses both numbers (countable) would be associated with the indefinite article; they may be used with the pronouns what, some, much or little:

Perfect harvest weather; but oppressively still… [21] Everyone gave him advice… [11] Of course-this was good news. [7] «What delightful weather we are having!» [20] What beauty, what stillness! [21] He had anticipated much pleasure in this afternoon's reading… [9] «But have some tea. I've just made it.» [21]

Some collective nouns used only in the plural also belong to the group of uncountable such as: goods, sweepings, tidings, etc.

1.7 Nouns Used Only in the Plural

1. A number of nouns are used only in the form of the plural. With these nouns the plural does not indicate several objects but denotes a composite whole.