construction/constructions?

[jutfrank]

I know '-tion' nouns can refer to an activity or thing, but referring to things, are they naturally used in a collective sense?

When referring to things, they're used either uncountably (singular) in a generalised sense, as with our example here, or countably (singular or plural). When you say a 'collective' sense, do you mean used countably? As a plurality of individual things?

I see some people object to the singular "construction" in favor of the plural "constructions." It seems that they don't readily take the word to refer collectively.

I think those people (myself included) think the plural works better there. Like me, they're probably imagining that cities contains lots of densely packed things.

 

[Tdol]

If you want to talk of densely packed bridges, go ahead. Just don't be surprised if people think your description is a bit weird or unnatural.

I am living here: https://myaukun.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/sumida-river-and-many-bridges-tokyo/#jp-carousel-3417

I wouldn't call the many bridges densely packed.

 

[5jj]

For me, Charles Bridge in Prague does get packed.

The famous historic Charles Bridge that crosses the Vltava River in...

The famous historic Charles Bridge that crosses the Vltava River in Prague packed with Tourists and Artists on this sunny summer day.

www.istockphoto.com