|
|
|
Conchita
Moderator
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2702
Location: Madrid, Spain
|
|
 Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:27 pm Is accommodation countable or uncountable? |
|
|
Hi Torsten,
I think it's one of those British/American differences. For old fogies like me there is a belief that the singular is preferred but I am given to understand that the plural form is used regularly in American English. There are two points to bear in mind: it is gradually being used in the plural in British English and apparently it was used in the plural form in the UK up until the 18th century. So as they say: you takes your pick!
Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Weather |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 6919
Location: UK
|
 |
| Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:29 pm Is accommodation countable or uncountable? |
|
|
Sorry Conchita - while I was laboriously slaving over a hot keyboard, you nipped in with a quick response.
Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A funny thing happened... |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 6919
Location: UK
|
|
| Thu Nov 08, 2007 17:56 pm Is accommodation countable or uncountable? |
|
|
| Torsten wrote: | | According to a number of resources the noun "accommodation" is uncountable. However, I often see the plural form "accommodations", especially in online articles. So, is accommodation countable or uncountable? |
Hi Torsten
If your resources stated unequivocally that the word 'accommodation' is always uncountable, then I would recommend looking for new sources of information. Accommodation can be used as a countable noun and as an uncountable noun. Also bear in mind that the word accommodation is not used exclusively to refer to lodging.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 6821
Location: USA
|
|
| Fri Nov 09, 2007 18:02 pm Is accommodation countable or uncountable? |
|
|
| Alan wrote: | | and apparently it was used in the plural form in the UK up until the 18th century. So as they say: you takes your pick! |
This is fascinating to me. It's another case of a British archaism continuing remaining current in the US for centuries, but in this case it must be seeping back and restoring old usage in the UK. |
|
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 3992
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
|
|
|
| Mister Micawber, would you join the discussion? Happened or had happened? Why? | meaning of "write off" |
