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Countable and non-countable objects

by Alkanadi, August 21, 2014

Messages: 4

Language: English

Alkanadi (User's profile) August 21, 2014, 7:20:04 AM

As I understand, non-countable things take the singular, such as akvo (water). I don't think you would say akvoj unless you were refering to seperate bodies of water.

I just saw this in one of the courses:
...laŭ la lastaj informoj...

When should I use the singular informo and when should I use the plural informoj?

domestro (User's profile) August 21, 2014, 7:49:45 AM

Alkanadi:
When should I use the singular informo and when should I use the plural informoj?
Informo is single concept of information, e.g. informo pri tempo de aranĝo.
Informoj are more concepts within a "pack": ĉiuj necesaj informoj pri aranĝo.
Slovak language differs singular and plural for this word (informácia), so we don't have problem with it.

sergejm (User's profile) August 21, 2014, 7:52:38 AM

Sea-men can say ”akvoj" instead of "sea": "Ni venis en nekonatajn akvojn."
"Lastaj informoj" means you have information from some sources or informaion about some things.

sudanglo (User's profile) August 21, 2014, 10:15:01 AM

English doesn't use information in the plural. Some (maybe many) other languages use their equivalent word in the plural meaning separate pieces of information.

In general, it is difficult to be dogmatic and countability and non-countability.

Words that seem to be good examples of non-countability can often be used in the plural with a shift of meaning.

How many sugars do you take in your tea?

Paradoxically, in English we say 'the news is not good'

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