[Grammar] types of building?

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roseriver1012

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Work is now in progress on the types of building.

About the sentence, since there are "types", why the word "buiding" is in its singluar form? "Building" is a countable noun

in this meaning. Can I say "types of buildings"? Can I say "a type of buildings"? Thanks for helping!
 

mayita1usa

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Work is now in progress on the types of building.
You're absolutely right that if you are referring to the structures where people live and work, building is a countable noun and should agree with "types".

However (and it's hard to know this without reading the entire paragraph/context), it's possible that in this case building is a gerund, a verb form acting as a singular noun, referring to the action of building. A parallel sentence using another abstract noun might be, "Work is now in progress on the types of education."

If this is still confusing, write back with more context for the sentence and maybe it will become more clear. :cool:
 

roseriver1012

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You're absolutely right that if you are referring to the structures where people live and work, building is a countable noun and should agree with "types".

However (and it's hard to know this without reading the entire paragraph/context), it's possible that in this case building is a gerund, a verb form acting as a singular noun, referring to the action of building. A parallel sentence using another abstract noun might be, "Work is now in progress on the types of education."

If this is still confusing, write back with more context for the sentence and maybe it will become more clear. :cool:

The context is "With the first moon colonies predicted for the 1970's, work is now in progress on the types of building required for men to stay in when they're on the moon." It seems that "building" here means the place where people live. The sentence is from an English textbook.

And again, is it right to say "a type of buildings"? Thanks.
 

mayita1usa

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Yes, it would be correct to say "types of buildings".

However, it is also correct in the original sentence, but there is a small difference in meaning. The word construction could be substituted for building, and you can see how it is possible for there to be different types (plural) of construction (singular); in this case, construction/building would refer to the process of building, not the product itself. Another way to use this might be:
Building styles differ around the world. = Styles of building differ around the world.

This is a very fine point of meaning that most people (native speakers, too) would probably not be aware of, so don't worry if it still seems a little confusing! Just go with what you know! :up:
 

roseriver1012

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Yes, it would be correct to say "types of buildings".

However, it is also correct in the original sentence, but there is a small difference in meaning. The word construction could be substituted for building, and you can see how it is possible for there to be different types (plural) of construction (singular); in this case, construction/building would refer to the process of building, not the product itself. Another way to use this might be:
Building styles differ around the world. = Styles of building differ around the world.

This is a very fine point of meaning that most people (native speakers, too) would probably not be aware of, so don't worry if it still seems a little confusing! Just go with what you know! :up:

Ok! So it is right to say "types of buildings (places to live in)" and "types of building(the process)(Does it mean the noun in this form is usually an uncountable one?)". What about "a type of buildings (places to live in)"? Is it right?
 

mayita1usa

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"types of building(the process)". (Does it mean the noun in this form is usually an uncountable one?)".
Not "usually" - always! :-D

What about "a type of buildings (places to live in)"? Is it right?
Yes, you can say that. For example:
- In West Africa, one can often find a type of buildings made of mud bricks. - OR -
- A type of buildings seen often in West Africa is made of mud bricks with palm frond roofs.
(Note that in the second sentence above, the verb "is" agrees with the subject "a type".)

I think you've got it! :up:
 
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