Quantity

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kachibi

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I learnt from some grammar sites (BBC and Grammar-Monster) that "quantity" is followed by inanimate count nouns: e.g. a large quantity of drugs. Sometimes singular nouns are used but this usage is considered outdated by modern grammarians: e.g. a large quantity of money (we have "monies" in dictionaries). However, i checked more examples from reputable dictionaries like Cambridge and discovered a contradictory example: a large quantity of equipment. We all know that "equipment" is totally a mass noun.
 

Rover_KE

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Without a specific question, this post seems to belong in the General Language Discussions forum, to which I am moving it.

Rover
 

kachibi

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Sorry, I forgot to ask my question: so, "quantity" can be followed by
1) count nouns (contemporary) and singular count nouns (traditional)
or
2) count nouns, singular nouns and mass nouns?
 

Tdol

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Sometimes singular nouns are used but this usage is considered outdated by modern grammarians:e.g. a large quantity of money (we have "monies" in dictionaries)

Where did you get this from? Monies is only used in certain contexts- it is not replacing money. Many would prefer a large amount of money. When usage changes, some people prefer the traditional form and others embrace the new.
 
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