mass nouns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mass nouns" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing grammatical categories that refer to substances or concepts that cannot be counted individually. An example is: "Water and sand are examples of mass nouns." Alternative expressions include "uncountable nouns" and "non-count nouns."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many mass nouns have spawned countable spinoffs over time.

The New York Times

Now, you might think that if "more" can be used with both count and mass nouns, so can "less".

The Guardian - Books

This dichotomy was presumably inspired by a linguistic distinction, analogous to that between English count nouns, such as "apple," and mass nouns, such as "water".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both count and mass nouns admit the definite article.

SEP

This property of mass nouns is called cumulative reference.

SEP

But mass nouns like furniture are clearly not homogeneous.

SEP

We consider several approaches to the semantics of mass nouns.

SEP

Remark: The claim is not that mass nouns are plurals.

SEP

Is it also the case with abstract mass nouns?

SEP

This raises an important question: are abstract mass nouns a separate species of mass nouns, with their own semantic properties?

SEP

An appropriate semantics for mass nouns should guarantee things like what follows.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When teaching grammar, use concrete examples like "water", "sand", and "furniture" to illustrate the concept of "mass nouns".

Common error

Avoid pluralizing "mass nouns" by adding an '-s' unless you're referring to types or instances of the substance (e.g., "coffees" to mean different types of coffee).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mass nouns" functions as a grammatical term, specifically identifying a category of nouns. As Ludwig indicates, these nouns refer to substances or concepts that cannot be easily counted. The examples given by Ludwig such as "nitrogen", "porridge", "trash", etc, showcase this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mass nouns" are nouns that refer to things that cannot be counted, such as "water", "sand", or "furniture". Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. As shown by Ludwig, the term is most commonly used in science and academic settings, but also appears in news media. When using "mass nouns", remember to avoid pluralizing them unless referring to different types or instances. Alternative terms include "uncountable nouns" and "non-count nouns". Understanding "mass nouns" is crucial for grammatical accuracy and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncountable nouns

Focuses on the lack of ability to count these nouns.

non-count nouns

Emphasizes the characteristic of not being countable.

non discrete nouns

Highlights that the nouns cannot be separated into distinct units.

undifferentiated nouns

Highlights the lack of distinct individual units within the noun's meaning.

substance nouns

Highlights the material or substance aspect of these nouns.

continuous nouns

Refers to the non-discrete nature and lack of clear boundaries.

bulk nouns

Emphasizes the idea of the noun referring to a large quantity or mass.

names of kinds

Focuses on the classification aspect rather than countability.

aggregate nouns

Stresses the combined nature of the noun's referent.

collective nouns

Refers to nouns that represent a group or collection of items, treated as a single entity.

FAQs

How do I identify "mass nouns" in a sentence?

"Mass nouns" typically refer to things that cannot be counted individually, such as "water", "sand", or "furniture". They don't usually take a plural form, although there are exceptions.

What are some common examples of "mass nouns"?

Common examples of "mass nouns" include "water", "air", "rice", "sugar", "information", and "furniture". Remember that some nouns can function as both count and "mass nouns" depending on the context.

Can "mass nouns" ever be plural?

Yes, sometimes. For example, you might say "The wines of France are exquisite" to refer to different types or varieties of wine. However, in most general uses, "mass nouns" remain singular.

What's the difference between "mass nouns" and "count nouns"?

"Mass nouns" refer to uncountable things (like "water"), while "count nouns" refer to countable things (like "apples"). "Count nouns" can be made plural, while "mass nouns" generally cannot.