[Grammar] Is "All the staff will have to wear uniform." incorrect?

[Jayee]

I have learned that the word 'staff' has the meanings of both singular and plural, and 'uniform' is able to be both countable and uncountable.
I heard a sentence by chance: "All the staff will have to wear uniforms." and I was just wondering if "All the staff will have to wear uniform." is incorrect. Is that incorrect?

 

[SoothingDave]

"Uniforms" is correct.

 

[Jayee]

"Uniforms" is correct.

Thanks
Is that because of 'all' ?
How about 'The staff will have to wear uniform.'?

 

[khanhhung2512]

"Uniforms" is correct.

NOT A TEACHER
Actually, SoothingDave didn't say if "uniform" is incorrect.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Uniform" is incorrect.

 

[khanhhung2512]

"Uniform" is incorrect.

NOT A TEACHER
Could you please explain why that is? According to Oxford, "uniform" can be countable or uncountable.
Here's an example, also from Oxford: Do you have to wear uniform? <- "Uniform" is uncountable.
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/uniform_1?q=uniform

 

[SoothingDave]

Do you have to wear uniform?

That is incorrect, at least in AmE.

An other example given "soldiers in uniform" I agree with. But I would never hear or say "the workers all have to wear uniform."

I have to wear a uniform. We have to wear uniforms.

 

[khanhhung2512]

An other example given "soldiers in uniform" I agree with.

Thanks again, SoothingDave. By the way, I don't want to be viewed as captious, but I think you made a typo here. Shouldn't it be "another", instead?

On another note, I'd like to ask you one more favor. I myself find American English to be highly multifarious, and I also have trouble finding enough books that can be considered standard for AmE. Therefore, I used to think that the language lacked a definite standard and perceived it as rather "loosey-goosey". Until today, I have never thought that the phrase "to wear uniform" could possibly sound wrong in America. All in all, could you please recommend some books or sources that I can consult to know what would sound right in AmE, like the ones you've studied for example? I've found plenty of sources for BrE, but only a few for AmE.

Thank you very much.

 

[SoothingDave]

I didn't learn English from a book. You are correct that American English is varied and constantly changing. Words and phrases in use by one culture or subset of people (say teenagers) will not be the same as those used by another.

Reading newspapers and news websites would be your best bet for knowing what is "standard" for American English.

 

[Jayee]

So, it is not common to use 'uniform' as a uncountable noun in AmE, but 'uniform' can be uncountable in some cases and the usage is not perceived as a problem in BrE, huh?
I was Just wondering~!

 

[MikeNewYork]

I haven't seen any BrE speaker post that "uniform" is uncountable.

 

[marckstate]

I also had a problem in this case, thanks for the clarification

 

[khanhhung2512]

So, it is not common to use 'uniform' as an uncountable noun in AmE, but 'uniform' can be uncountable in some cases and the usage is not perceived as a problem in BrE, huh?

NOT A TEACHER
Here's something I've found.

(Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary) Do you have to wear uniform?
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/uniform_1

(Oxford Advanced American Dictionary) Do you have to wear a uniform?
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/uniform_1

(Both) soldiers in uniform

I'm not sure if these examples are up-to-date and representative of the language, though.

 

[Jayee]

[/B]I'm not sure if these examples are up-to-date and representative of the language, though.

Yeah, I know
I'm really appreciated for your taking time to fully answer my question! Thank you!

 

[khanhhung2512]

Yeah, I know
I'm really appreciated for your taking time to fully answer my question! Thank you!

NOT A TEACHER
You're welcome.
I wouldn't use "appreciated" there. "Grateful" would be more grammatical and suitable.
Or else, I'd say, "I really appreciate that you've taken time to answer my question fully." (I just prefer to put "fully" behind, although it isn't wrong to put it in front.)
Teachers, are there any mistakes in my post?

 

[bhaisahab]

I haven't seen any BrE speaker post that "uniform" is uncountable.

I would accept "Do you have to wear uniform?" as being correct and natural in BrE. I would also accept the plural "uniforms".

 

[Jayee]

Ah! I really appreciate your help.
I confused 'appreciated' with other past participles which mean emotions such as disappointed, surprised and so on. I got it wrong!
And I also wonder the word order of 'fully'. I have heard that the both ways are acceptable and there may be a specific way which sounds more natural to native speakers. I would like to hear other opinions on this, too.

 

[Tarheel]

NOT A TEACHER
You're welcome.
I wouldn't use "appreciated" there. "Grateful" would be more grammatical and suitable.
Or else, I'd say, "I really appreciate that you've taken time to answer my question fully." (I just prefer to put "fully" behind, although it isn't wrong to put it in front.)
Teachers, are there any mistakes in my post?

Say:

I really appreciate it that you took the time to answer my question fully.
​

"I really appreciate, etc." is a common way of expressing gratitude for somebody's help.

 

[Tarheel]

Yeah, I know
I'm really appreciated for your taking time to fully answer my question! Thank you!

Say:

I really appreciate your taking the time to fully answer my question. Thank you!
​

 

[Tarheel]

Ah! I really appreciate your help. :tick:
I confused 'appreciated' with other past participles which mean emotions such as disappointed, surprised and so on. I got it wrong!
And I also wonder the word order of 'fully'. I have heard that the both ways are acceptable and there may be a specific way which sounds more natural to native speakers. I would like to hear other opinions on this, too.

No, you didn't get it wrong. (Note my correction, however.) Also, you can place "fully" in either position.