Problems With Nouns (3): Numbers With Nouns.

(I am outlining [the] [sixth] [chapter] in my notebook)

- I am outlining
- (the): the
- (ordinal number): sixth
- (noun): chapter - in my note book

Remember that the following are ordinal numbers:

- first
- second
- third
- fourth
- fifth
- sixth
- seventh
- eighth
- ninth
- tenth
- eleventh
- twelfth
- thirteenth
- fourteenth
- fifteenth
- sixteenth
- seventeenth
- eighteenth
- nineteenth
- twentieth

Avoid using (the) before the noun instead of before the ordinal number.
Avoid using a cardinal instead of an ordinal number.

(I am outlining [chapter] [six] in my notebook)

- I am outlining
- (noun): chapter
- (cardinal number): six
- in my notebook

Remember that the following are cardinal numbers:


- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eigh
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty

Avoid using (the) before the cardinal number or before the noun. Avoid using an ordinal number instead of a cardinal number.

Incorrect: Flight 656 for Los Angeles is now ready for boarding at (the concourse seven).
Correct: Flight 656 for Los Angeles is now ready for boarding at (concourse seven).

Incorrect: We left before the begining of (act third).
Correct: We left before the begining of (the third act).

[OR]

Correct: We left before the begining of (act three)

Incorrect: You tickets are for (gate the tenth), section B.
Correct: You tickets are for (gate ten), section B.

Incorrect: Look in (volume second) of the Modern Medical Dictionary.
Correct: Look in (the second volume) of the Modern Medical Dictionary.

[OR]

Correct: Look in (volume two) of the Modern Medical Dictionary.

Incorrect: The New York-Whasington train is arriving on (track the fourth).
Correct: The New York-Whasington train is arriving on (track four).

Problems With Nouns (2): Singular Expressions of Non-count Nouns.

(A folk song is [a] [piece] [of] [popular music])

- A folk song is
- (a): a
- (singular): piece
- (of)
- (noun[non-count]): popular music

Remember that the following singular expressions are idiomatic:

- a piece of bread
- a piece of equipment
- a piece of furniture
- a piece of jewelry
- a piece of luggage
- a piece of mail
- a piece of music
- a piece of toast
- a loaf of bread
- a slice of bread
- an ear of corn

Incorrect: (A mail) travels faster when the zip code is indicated on the envelope.
Correct: (A piece of mail) travels faster when the zip code is indicated on the envelope.

Incorrect: There is a limit of (one carry-on luggage) for each passenger.
Correct: There is a limit of (one piece of carry-on luggage) for each passenger.

Incorrect: (Each furniture) in this display is on sale for half price.
Correct: (Each piece of furniture) in this display is on sale for half price.

Incorrect: I'd like a steak, a salad, and (a corn's ear) with butter.
correct: I'd like a steak, a salad, and (an ear of corn) with butter.

Incorrect: The Engineering Department purchased (a new equipment) to simulate conditions in outer space.
Correct: The Engineering Department purchased (a new piece of equipment) to simulate conditions in outer space.

Problems With Nouns (1): Count and Non-count Nouns.

(There are [Few] [reference books] may be checked out)

- There are
- (few): Few
- (noun[count]): reference books
- may be checked out

(There are [many] [television] for children on saturday)

- There are
- (many): many
- (noun[count]): television programs
- for children on saturday

Remember tha the following nouns are examples of count nouns:

- books
- classes
- dollars
- friends
- programs
- seats

Avoid using a non-count noun instead of a count noun after (few) and (many).


(Before he came to the U.S., he had done [little] [traveling])

- Before he came to the U.S., he had done
- (little): little
- (noun[non-count]): traveling

(We don't have[much] [information])

- We don't have
- (much): much
- (noun[non-count]): information

Remember that the following nouns are examples of non-count nouns:

- advice
- hair
- homework
- information
- money
- news

Avoid using a count noun instead of a non-count noun after (little) and (much).

([Only] [a few] [dollars] have been budgeted for supplies)

- (only): Only
- (a few): a few
- (noun[count]): dollars
- have been budgeted for supplies

Avoid using (few) instead of a (few) after (only).

(We have[only] [a little] [homework] for monday)

- We have
- (only): only
- (a little): a little
- (noun[non-count]): homework
- for monday

Avoid using (little) instead of a (little) after (only).

Examples:

Incorrect: He had to balance his account very carefully because he had (few money).
Correct: He had to balance his account very carefully because he had (little money).

Incorrect: The letter was short because there wasn't (many news).
Correct: The letter was short because there wasn't (much news).

Incorrect: She knows very (few English).
Correct: She knows very (little English).

Incorrect: There are (only) (few seats) left.
Correct: There are (only) (a few seats) left.

Incorrect: Hery has very (little friends).
Correct: Hery has very (few friends).