#1  
Old 26-Nov-2004, 15:49
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Default Problem / Uncountable

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=63066&dict=CALD
The dictionary says 'problem' is countable not both. But can I make it uncountable?

Are these correct? If not, why?
1. I have computer problem. (Can 'problem' be uncountable here or do I need an uncountable determiner? Like this:
2. I have some computer problem. (Why do I need to have 'some' here? There's no way this sentence is correct without it?)

3. I have a weird computer problem.

4. I have weird computer problem.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=...nG=Search&meta=
5. I have computer problem. (If this is incorrect, why? Google has 73,000 results!)
6. I have some computer problem.

7. I have problem. (Is this correct? Can I make 'problem' uncountable like that? If not, why? If I could, that would not be grammatical right?)
8. I have some problem.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...8738&dict=CALD
9. Some street don't look very clean. (Can I make ‘street’ uncountable? If not, why?)


11. I have stomach ache. (Is this incorrect? Why? I can't make 'ache' uncountable?)
12. I have a stomach ache. (Why do I need 'a' here?)


Last edited by jack; 26-Nov-2004 at 16:12.
  #2  
Old 27-Nov-2004, 07:06
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Default Re: Problem / Uncountable


The following are correct:

3. I have a weird computer problem.

6. I have some computer problem.

12. I have a stomach-ache.

Note, in 6. 'some' is synonumous with a considerable or a remarkable; e.g, I have a considerable or remarkable computer problem.

  #3  
Old 27-Nov-2004, 11:25
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Default Re: Problem / Uncountable

Thanks.

1. I have (some) computer problem. (So I have to use an determiner here? Like 'some'?)

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/def...78738&dict=CALD
2. Some street don't look very clean. (Can I make ‘street’ uncountable? If not, why?)

What do these mean?
3. This one has networking ability. (This is correct right? What does it mean?)
4. This one has a networking ability. (This one only has ONE networking ability?)

5. She has killing ability.
6. She has a killing ability.

5. This one has ability. (Is this right? If not, why?)
6. This one has a ability.
  #4  
Old 27-Nov-2004, 11:46
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Default Re: Problem / Uncountable

This one has networking ability. (general networking ability)

This one has a networking ability. (an unspecified type/kind of networking ability)
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Old 27-Nov-2004, 12:29
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Default Re: Problem / Uncountable

Thanks.
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