英语讲义【43】名词数目错误处处

　　在前三期（4月11日）里，谈到不可数名词是没有复数形式的，但是常常有人不小心，在某些不可数名词上加-s而犯错，其中 experience, equipment, evidence, information这几个的错误最多。

　　下面一家装修商广告中的experiences（经验）便是一例：

　　our many years of reputable experiences.

　　须知，当经验解时，experience是不可数名词，不可以有-s：our many years of reputable experience（许多年声誉卓著的装修经验）。当各种各样不同经历解时， experience是可数名词，可以有复数-s的符号，如：

　　Tom could not forget his thrilling experiences in his first trip to Guilin.

　　学生作业中，类似的错误也不少，如：

　　① A lot of factors led to students poor performances. （应为 performance）

　　② Only people of irreproachable characters can aspire to be good leaders.（应为 character）

　　③ More and more institutions resort to advanced equipments to assist in the education process.（应为 equipment）

　　④ Without such knowledges, one would not be able to understand what was seen or heard. （应为 knowledge）

　　⑤ There is still much room for further improvements.（应为 improvement）

　　上述这些不可数名词的错误，是不是很熟悉呢？

　　刚刚谈的错误是不可有-s而用-s。另一种错误是应该有 -s而不用-s。虽然后者不像前者这样麻烦，但是也不难看到。下面三个不同的广告中便出现了应该有-s但漏了-s的名词：

　　⑥We are looking for suitable candidate to take up the following positions.（应为 candidates）。

　　⑦Dear customer: Have you been misled by too many brochure?（应为 brochures）。

　　⑧We specialise in rubber tile for factory, office, warehouse, etc.（应为 rubber tiles, factories, offices, warehouses）

　　⑥-⑧里的错误显而易见，只要稍微小心，便不难发现而改正过来。但是，有关不可数名词加-s的错误，则较难躲闪，必须加倍警惕才好。其中一个防患办法是借重量词，反映不可数名词之量 ，但不改变其形，即不要用-s，如：

　　⑨ There isnt much petroleum in the car.

　　⑩ John gave some evidence to indicate that the documents had been tampered with.

　　11. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

　　12. A lot of money has been donated to various charity organisations.

　　13. Some people today paid little attention to their extravagant acts.