• Exciting news! With our new Ad-Free Premium Subscription you can enjoy a distraction-free browsing experience while supporting our site's growth. Without ads, you have less distractions and enjoy faster page load times. Upgrade is optional. Find out more here, and enjoy ad-free learning with us!

behaviour

Status
Not open for further replies.
U

Unregistered

Guest
Hi there,

Does American English allow 'behaviour' countable?

Thanks
pete
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Well, we allow "behavior" as a countable, plural noun. Not so much with "behaviour." ;-)

The monkeys displayed several surprising behaviors. The teens in the study engaged in many risky behaviors.

Google "several * behaviors" or "many * behaviors" and you'll see other examples.
 

peter123

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Arabic
Home Country
Malaysia
Current Location
Hong Kong
Hi there,
But Longman, Oxford state that 'behaviour' is an uncoutable. why?

thanks
pete
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Did it list only ONE definition?

The common use like "Your behavior last night was disgusting" or "I'm very proud of your excellent behavior at that long, boring dinner" is uncountable.

But the word when used in social sciences is countable, as in my examples and as in the ones you'll find if google as I suggested.
 

NearThere

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Taiwan
Current Location
United States
BarbD: The common use like "Your behavior last night was disgusting" or "I'm very proud of your excellent behavior at that long, boring dinner" is uncountable.

But the word when used in social sciences is countable, as in my examples and as in the ones you'll find if google as I suggested.

I'm learning new things everyday here. Thank you very much.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top