[Grammar] "A Software" sounds wrong but is it wrong, and if so by what rule?

[jeffreygcowell]

A colleague at work frequently asks callers "Do you have a software to....". This sounds awkward and illiterate to me as most speakers would ask "do you have an application" or "do you have a software package/system/tool". My question is: is this awkward or is it wrong? Seems to me this is the use of an adjective as a noun, although software in the collective is a noun. It is the "a software" that bugs me. It is similar to me to saying do you have "a geese" or "a atmospheric".

Thanks for your insights.

Jeff

 

[Tarheel]

The word software is a noncount noun. It is always software, never a software. (You could say a software application.)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Your last sentence is interesting. Although you used the word "similar" your three examples are all wrong for different reasons.

1. A software: as you were told, that is wrong because "software" is a noncount noun.
2. A geese: that is wrong because "geese" is plural. "Goose" would work.
3. A atmospheric: that is wrong because we use "an" before a noun that begins with a vowel sound.

 

[Tdol]

We don't say a software or softwares- it is uncountable.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'A piece/pieces of software' should be acceptable.

Not a teacher.

 

[SoothingDave]

Ask "do you have any software to..."

 

[Tarheel]

'A piece/pieces of software' should be acceptable.

I think you are wrong (for a change). Software doesn't come in pieces. You either have it or you don't. You can't have a piece of software.

:roll:

 

[SoothingDave]

I am OK with a piece of software.

 

[Tarheel]

You sure wouldn't sell it in pieces.

 

[Matthew Wai]

You can't have a piece of software.

Can I say 'I have many pieces of freeware on my computer'?

 

[Raymott]

Object-oriented software is meant to be made in pieces and connected together.
Modules and library files are pieces of software.

 

[MikeNewYork]

That should be "freeware programs" or just "freeware".

 

[Tarheel]

Object-oriented software is meant to be made in pieces and connected together.
Modules and library files are pieces of software.

Well, I learned something today.

:up: