1.2.0. Morphological Characteristics

The English noun has two grammatical categories: number and case.

1.2.1.0. Number

Nouns (though not all of them) have two numbers: singular and plural.

1.2.1.1.Nouns which have two number forms are called countables. The majority of countable nouns form their plural form adding the ending "-s" to the singular:

boy-boys, girl-girls, dog-dogs

If the singular form end in “-y” preceded by a consonant the “y” will be changed for "-i" and the ending "-es" will follow:

Family-families

When used in the singu1ar_form the noun:

• May be modified by the demonstrative pronouns in the singular-"this" or "that";

• Agree with the verb in the singular;

• May have the indefinite article.

When used in the plural form the nouns:

• May be modified by the demonstrative pronouns in the; singular - "these" or "those";

• Agree with the verb in the plural;

• Cannot have the indefinite article.

1.2.1.2.Uncountables have only one form: 1. Singularia Tantum

These nouns generally have no grammatical ending. Nouns belonging to this group:

• May be modified by the demonstrative pronouns in the singular-"this" or "that";

• Agree with the verb in the singular;

• Cannot have the indefinite article.

To this group there belong:

- common concrete "mass" nouns

bread, butter, sugar, tea, copper;

- common abstract nouns

news, knowledge, information, progress, advice;

- proper concrete "thing" nouns

John, White Fang, London, the Thames;

- proper abstract nouns

the Renaissance, the Reformation.

II. Pluralia Tantum

These nouns generally have the ending "-s" ("-es"). They:

• May be modified by the demonstrative pronouns in the plural - "these" or “those”;

• Agree with the verb in the plural;

• Cannot have the indefinite article.

To this group there belong:

- common concrete collective nouns

clothes, greens, savings, goods, dominoes, etc.;

- common abstract collective nouns

tactics, politics; - proper concrete collective nouns

the British Isles, the Azores, the Andes

1.2.1.3 Some nouns can be countable or uncountable depending upon the meaning in which they are used in the context. To this group there belong:

1. common concrete collective nouns

Family, crew, committee

If they denote all the people forming the collective taken together, they function as a countable: This family is large. These families are large.

If they denote members of the collective viewed they are uncountable and function as Pluralia Tantum.

My family are early risers.

2. Abstract nouns, denoting feelings, emotions, qualities love, hatred, joy, pleasure, strength, weakness.

These nouns are generally used as Singularia Tantum.

Occasionally, however, when they indicate special manifestations of the abstract ideas, they become countables, may be used in the .singular with the indefinite article are sometimes pluralized.

He hates weakness.

She had a weakness for good clothes.

She had many small vanities and weaknesses.