不可數名詞是沒有復數形式的,但是常常有人不小心,在某些不可數名詞上加“-s”而犯錯,其中“ experience, equipment, evidence, information”這幾個的錯誤最多。
下面一家裝修商廣告中的“experiences”(經驗)便是一例:
“……our many years of reputable experiences.”
須知,當“經驗”解時,“experience”是不可數名詞,不可以有“-s”:“……our many years of reputable experience(許多年聲譽卓著的裝修經驗)”。當“各種各樣不同經歷”解時,“ experience”是可數名詞,可以有復數“-s”的符號,如:
“Tom could not forget his thrilling experiences in his first trip to Guilin.”
學生作業中,類似的錯誤也不少,如:
① A lot of factors led to students' poor performances. (應為 performance)
② Only people of irreproachable characters can aspire to be good leaders.(應為 character)
③ More and more institutions resort to advanced equipments to assist in the education process.(應為 equipment)
④ Without such knowledges, one would not be able to understand what was seen or heard. (應為 knowledge)
⑤ There is still much room for further improvements.(應為 improvement)
上述這些不可數名詞的錯誤,是不是很熟悉呢?
剛剛談的錯誤是不可有“-s”而用“-s”。另一種錯誤是應該有 “-s”而不用“-s”。雖然后者不像前者這樣麻煩,但是也不難看到。下面三個不同的廣告中便出現了應該有“-s”但漏了“-s”的名詞:
⑥“We are looking for suitable candidate to take up the following positions.”(應為 candidates)。
⑦“Dear customer: Have you been misled by too many brochure?”(應為 brochures)。
⑧“We specialise in rubber tile for factory, office, warehouse, etc.”(應為 rubber tiles, factories, offices, warehouses)
⑥-⑧里的錯誤顯而易見,只要稍微小心,便不難發現而改正過來。但是,有關不可數名詞加“-s”的錯誤,則較難躲閃,必須加倍警惕才好。其中一個防患辦法是借重量詞,反映不可數名詞之“量” ,但不改變其形,即不要用“-s”,如:
⑨ There isn't much petroleum in the car.
⑩ John gave some evidence to indicate that the documents had been tampered with.
11. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
12. A lot of money has been donated to various charity organisations.
13. Some people today paid little attention to their extravagant acts
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