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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Uncountable noun or countable noun?
Uncountable noun or countable noun?
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wingyourdreams
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Uncountable noun or countable noun?
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As I understand, the noun "staff" is uncountable but when I read some documents online, people still add "s" after this noun. This is really confusing. Can anyone tell me more about this and confirm whether "STAFF" is a count or non-count noun? And if it is used for both cases, then could you also give me some examples? It would be very helpful! Thank you very much in advance! |
29 May 2009
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HOLYMARY_852
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It depends on the meaning of the noun �staff �. It is used both as a countable and uncountable. When it refer to a group of persons like a group of teachers etc., it is uncountable. But when it is used to mean a stick, a rod or a band or in music �the horizontal lines on and between which notes are written or printed: the placement of a note on the staff indicates its pitch �; the noun �staff � is a countable noun and has the plural staffs or staves. (Reference Webster �s New World Dictionary".
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29 May 2009
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Apodo
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You are correct. Staff is normally uncountable. (if you mean a group of workers)
But perhaps staffs was used as we use peoples in "all the peoples of the world � meaning each separate ethnic or national group.
For example: The staffs from three different companies were called to a meeting. |
29 May 2009
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wingyourdreams
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Well, it is relatively clear now for me. Thank you both for spending sometime looking at the matter with me! And by the way, have a nice weekend!
With kind regards from Vietnam,
Kien Nguyen
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29 May 2009
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