Контрольная работа: Сategory of number of nouns

J 1) geniuses (men of genius) genius ^ ₂ ) genii (spirits)

f 1) pennies (number of coins) penny – y 2) pence (amount of pennies in value)

( 1) staffs ( military staffs [штаб], staffs [штат] of an staff institution)

I 2) staves (sticks)

II) cloths (kinds of cloth) cloth – clothes (articles of dress)

J I) indexes (tables of contents) index – indices (in mathematics)

2. The Development or Loss of Plural Forms in Connection with a Change or Variation of Meaning of the Noun

1. A number of nouns in English which are used only in the singular (uncountable) may through a change or variation of meaning acquire the forms of both numbers, singular and plural (and thus become countable). This is found in the following instances:

a) Material nouns which are used only in the singular (uncountable) express numbers, singular and plural (countable), when they denote different sorts:

«This is a very rare and most delicious wine. [10] There are many different wines on this list. The teas (tobaccos) of this plantation are of a very good quality. We produce high quality steels.

Note.– When a material noun serves to denote an object made of that material, it becomes a class-noun and may be used in both numbers:

Give me a glass (two glasses) of water. I have bought a new iron (two-new irons). A copper, two coppers (меднаямонета, медяк).

b) The noun hair is used in the singular (волосы); a hair is used only with the meaning of a few separate hairs (волосок, волоски):

…this girl's hair was chestnut, almost auburn. [6] She has a few grey hairs. She has more hair than wit, and more faults than hairs. (Shakespeare.)

c) The noun fruit is used in the singular. The plural form fruits denotes different kinds of fruit:

The fruit is not yet ripe. We have much fruit this year.

But: The fruits were local, consisting of apples, pears, nuts, and such other products of the summer… [9]

The plural form fruit is also used when the meaning is figurative:

Fruits of the workers' toil are buried in the strong coffers of a few. (The International.) The rich fruits of the heroic labour of Soviet people are visible from all corners of the earth, and they are an inspiration to the citizens of other countries advancing along the path of Socialism.

d) Abstract nouns which are used only in the singular (uncountable), taken in a general sense, acquire both numbers (and thus become countable) when they express concrete instances or special aspects of the notion which they denote:

It has been such a joy to see you and Holly. [21]… he sympathized with their joys and grieves; [5]

…now I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had courage to go forth into its expense to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils. [2]… May.night had fallen soft and warm, enwrapping with its grape bloom colour and its scents the billion caprices, intrigues, passions, longings, and regrets of men and women. [21] Little Sharp, with her secret griefs, was the heroine of the day. [1] When sorrows come, they come, not single spies, but in battalions. [1]

Note. – When such nouns as beauty, youth, etc. do not denote abstract qualities but people characterized by those qualities, they become class-nouns and are used in both numbers (like countable nouns): a beauty (красавица), a youth (юноша);

This girl is a real beauty. The youths were marching with red banners-Some abstract nouns are used in English only in the singular (uncountable), whereas in Russian the corresponding nouns are used in both numbers (countable): information, news, business, advice, work (работа), progress (успех), and others: «What sort of work did you do?"[4] «You always give me good advice…» [10] «This news has shaken me, Eliot.» [20] She is making splendid progress in English.

To indicate concrete instances of advice, information, etc., the words piece or item are used:

You tell them one or two items of news. [11] «It is a very strange piece of business!» I added… [2]»… I'd like to give you a little piece of advice.» [ 24] She gave me one piece of intelligence, which affected me very much… [10]

2. Sometimes material nouns and abstract nouns are used in the plural with emphatic force:

The frozen snows of the Arctic; the sands of the Sahara Desert; the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea; a thousand thanks; a thousand pities.

The thunders bellowed over the wild waste of waters, and were echoed and prolonged by the mountain waves. [13]