TZUTC: -0400   
   MSGID: 554.englisht@1:2320/105 213212d3   
   REPLY: 2:221/6.0 5ccc8aec   
   PID: Synchronet 3.17c-Linux  Mar  2 2019 GCC   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.06-Linux r3.105 Mar  2 2019 GCC 6.3.0   
   >If we apply Mike's rule we'll see that "progress" is an uncountable noun, as   
   >should be "lack", and, therefore, it should be "lack of progress MEAN they are   
   >not..." So the rule is not working.   
      
   No, it would be lack and means.  I may be using "singular" and   
   "uncountable" interchangably (and incorrectly!), but I would use MEANS in   
   your example also.   
      
   Mike   
      
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