TZUTC: -0400   
   MSGID: 561.englisht@1:2320/105 2141e537   
   REPLY: 1:153/716.0 cdb6c463   
   PID: Synchronet 3.17c-Linux  Mar  2 2019 GCC 6.3.0   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.06-Linux r3.105 Mar  2 2019 GCC 6.3.0   
   > MP>  I may be using "singular" and "uncountable" interchangably   
   > MP>  (and incorrectly!), but I would use MEANS in your example   
   > MP>  also.   
   >   
   >           IMHO your usage is correct, although you're not sure how to explain   
   > it.  Maybe I can help a bit re the latter....  :-)   
      
   That is a good way to put it.  :)   
      
   >           As a native speaker, you may not have heard the terms "countable" &   
   >"uncountable" in school.  I think I probably learned them from Alexander.  But   
   >you may recall being taught about stuff which is usually measured by weight or   
   >by volume... e.g. various liquids, meat/fish/poultry, cheese, and salt because   
   >it's okay to say "less" whereas with countable objects one should say "fewer".   
      
   Thanks, I am not sure I did ever hear those terms used, but you have   
   successfully reminded me of the difference between using "less" and   
   "fewer."  I shall have to admit that it this part of the US, you are not   
   likely to hear "fewer" used much... although I agree it is correct, I   
   believe most Kentuckians would use "less" in both instances.  :)   
      
   >           I reckon where some of the confusion lies is that we treat abstract   
   >nouns as singular.  Your teachers & mine may not have gone into detail re such   
   >concepts because... while the average student in junior high is experiencing a   
   >phase of rapid brain growth which is the ideal time to introduce them... other   
   >students will claim loudly & adamantly that abstract nouns don't exist because   
   >Miss Grinch in grade three never mentioned them.  OTOH, the common parlance is   
   >rife with examples many native speakers will have seen or heard before:   
      
   I am not certain that we spent much time on abstract nouns, either.  We did   
   learn that they could be used as nouns but I don't think much emphasis was   
   put on the "abstract" bit.  :)   
      
   Mike   
      
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