government, governments

[Soseki]

Hello,

fight corruption
…….. omitted ……..
Meaning: to try to prevent corruption in government and business

For example:
•If governments were serious about fighting corruption, we'd see more politicians in jail.
https://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/Collocations/F/fight_corruption_3813.htm

Why is the noun ‘government’ used in different ways?
In one case, it is used as an uncountable noun, while in the other case it is used as a countable one.

Thank you

 

[Soseki]

The simple answer is: Because that is the way the noun 'government' is used in the two sentences.

a) The boy ate an apple. b) The boy ate two apples. "apple" is certainly a countable noun, as is 'government'. In the meaning given, 'governments' could easily be used and it still makes good sense.

Thank you very much.


Is anything wrong if Meaning: to try to prevent corruption in government and business
were written in such a way as:
Meaning: to try to prevent corruption in governments and businesses

 

[teechar]

Meaning: to try to prevent corruption in government and business

Here, "government" is used as a mass noun and refers to the system/institution.

If governments were serious about fighting corruption, we'd see more politicians in jail.

Here, "government" is used as a countable noun to refer to actual individual governments of countries.

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/government

 

[GoesStation]

Thank you very much.


Is anything wrong if Meaning: to try to prevent corruption in government and business
were written in such a way as:
Meaning: to try to prevent corruption in governments and businesses

The original version expresses the idea best. We're talking about systemic corruption.