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詞性與片語基礎

可數名詞與不可數名詞

Countable and uncountable nouns

分辨可數與不可數名詞、複數的構成方式、職場常見的不可數名詞,以及複合名詞。

練習 60 題

可數名詞與不可數名詞

  • 單數可數名詞前面必須有限定詞:a client、the client、our client、each client;不能說 Client called this morning。
  • 要計算不可數名詞,就用單位:a piece of advice、an item of equipment、a piece of furniture、two pieces of luggage、a sheet of paper。
可數(countable)不可數(uncountable)
例子invoice, client, document, meetinginformation, equipment, money, advice
複數有:invoices, clients不加 -s
a / an單數時使用:an invoice不使用
動詞單數或複數一律單數
數量詞many, few, a few, several, a number ofmuch, little, a little, a great deal of, an amount of
兩者通用some, any, a lot of, lots of, plenty of, no, mostsome, any, a lot of, lots of, plenty of, no, most
例句
  • We need more information about the shipment.我們需要更多關於這批貨的資訊。
  • Several invoices have not been paid yet.有幾張發票尚未付款。

名詞複數的構成

  • Headquarters 一定有 -s,可搭配單數或複數動詞。News 雖有 -s 卻是不可數名詞,搭配單數動詞。
  • People 是複數:People are...。Police 一律搭配複數動詞。
規則例子
加 -sreport → reports, client → clients
字尾 -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -z:加 -estax → taxes, branch → branches, business → businesses
子音 + y:去 y 加 -iescompany → companies, delivery → deliveries(但 day → days)
字尾 -f/-fe:通常改為 -vesshelf → shelves, half → halves(但 chief → chiefs, belief → beliefs)
不規則person → people, man → men, woman → women, child → children
希臘/拉丁字源analysis → analyses, crisis → crises, criterion → criteria, phenomenon → phenomena
單複數同形series, species, means, aircraft

多益常見的不可數名詞

許多在中文裡可以數的名詞,在英文裡卻是不可數的。這是 Part 5 的經典陷阱。

  • 資訊、建議類:information, advice, feedback, knowledge, research, evidence, news, guidance, assistance, permission。
  • 泛指物品類:equipment, furniture, luggage, baggage, machinery, merchandise, stationery, clothing, software, hardware, mail。
  • 其他:money, cash, access, traffic, work, employment, transportation, accommodation(英式),seating, parking, weather。
  • 對應的可數說法:a suggestion(可數)意思接近 advice;a job(可數)接近 work;a machine(可數)接近 machinery;a product 接近 merchandise。
例句
  • All office equipment must be returned before you leave the company.離職前必須歸還所有辦公設備。
  • Thank you for your feedback on our new menu.感謝您對我們新菜單的意見回饋。
  • Each passenger may bring two pieces of luggage.每位旅客可攜帶兩件行李。

兼具兩種意思的名詞與集合名詞

  • 集合名詞如 staff, team, committee, management, board 在英式英文裡可以搭配單數動詞(視為一個整體)或複數動詞(強調各個成員)。多益試題通常對 team, committee, board 使用單數。要計算員工人數時,用 staff members 或 employees。
名詞不可數可數
experience經驗:five years of experience一次經歷:a memorable experience
business生意、業務:do business with一家企業:a small business
paper紙:a sheet of paper報紙、論文:a paper on trade
room空間:room for improvement房間:a meeting room
work工作:a lot of work作品:works of art
例句
  • Candidates must have at least three years of experience in sales.應徵者必須具備至少三年的業務經驗。
  • The committee has approved the new budget.委員會已核准新預算。

複合名詞(名詞 + 名詞)

英文常把兩個名詞連用,其中前面的名詞扮演形容詞的角色,修飾後面的主要名詞。前面的名詞通常用單數;只有最後的名詞才變複數。

修飾名詞(單數)+ 主要名詞(單數/複數)
  • 常見組合:application form, expiration date, job opening, safety regulations, customer satisfaction, product launch, travel arrangements, office supplies, performance review, registration fee, assembly line, maintenance work, staff meeting, retirement party, reference letter。
  • 複數加在最後的名詞上:two application forms,不是 two applications form。
  • 有些名詞放在前面時一定保留 -s:sales department、savings account、customs officer、electronics company、goods train、arts center。
  • 複合名詞和「形容詞 + 名詞」不同:a safety inspection(關於安全的檢查)不同於 a safe inspection(安全、無危險的檢查)。多益有時兩個選項都會出現,請依句意選擇。
例句
  • Please complete the registration form and return it to the front desk.請填妥報名表並交回櫃檯。
  • The sales department exceeded its target this quarter.業務部門本季超越了目標。

所有格:'s 與 of

要表達「某人的、某物的」,英文用 's 或 of。Part 5 很少直接考,但所有格片語常像限定詞一樣出現在空格前面,而 Part 6、Part 7 也大量使用帶 's 的時間片語。

  • 所有格片語本身已經是限定詞,後面的名詞不需要再加冠詞:the manager's decision,不能說 the manager's the decision。
  • 公司和機構兩種寫法都可以:the company's policy = the policy of the company。
  • two weeks' vacation(所有格,有 -s)和 a two-week vacation(複合形容詞,名詞用單數,有連字號)意思相同。不要把兩種寫法混成 a two-weeks vacation。
情況寫法例句
單數的人、機構名詞 + 'sMs. Kim's office, the company's profits
字尾是 -s 的複數名詞只加 'the employees' lounge, our clients' feedback
不規則複數加 'sthe children's section, people's opinions
事物、概念、較長的片語the + N + of + Nthe end of the month, the cost of the repairs
時間、距離's 或 '(表示長度、時間點)a week's notice, two weeks' vacation, today's meeting
例句
  • Please give us at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel.如需取消,請至少提前 48 小時通知我們。
  • The director's assistant will send you the agenda.主任的助理會把議程寄給您。

多益常見的名詞 + 介系詞

許多名詞固定搭配某個介系詞。Part 5 常把這個介系詞挖空,或先給介系詞讓你選擇合適的名詞。最好整組片語一起記,而不是只背名詞。

  • an increase in + 增加的東西(an increase in sales);an increase of + 增加的幅度(an increase of 10%)。這個規則也適用於 rise, decrease, drop, decline。
  • 名詞通常沿用原本動詞或形容詞的介系詞:respond to → response to、depend on → dependence on、interested in → interest in。但不接介系詞的及物動詞,變成名詞後反而需要介系詞:discuss the plan → a discussion about the plan、attend the meeting → attendance at the meeting。
介系詞名詞
fordemand for, need for, request for, reason for, responsibility for, preference for, application for, payment for
inincrease in, decrease in, rise in, decline in, drop in, change in, interest in, experience in, delay in, investment in
toaccess to, solution to, approach to, damage to, response to, contribution to, commitment to, alternative to
oneffect on, impact on, influence on, emphasis on, focus on, tax on, advice on, restriction on
oflack of, cause of, advantage of, knowledge of, cost of, copy of, variety of, example of
withproblem with, relationship with, contact with, agreement with, connection with
about / overconcern about/over, question about, information about, dispute over, control over
例句
  • There has been a sharp increase in demand for electric vehicles.電動車的需求大幅增加。
  • We are still waiting for a response to our proposal.我們仍在等待對方對我們提案的回覆。

字尾 -ing 的名詞與同字根名詞

有些字尾 -ing 的名詞指的是一個領域或泛指的活動,屬於不可數;而同字根的另一個名詞則指具體的物品,屬於可數。Part 5 常在四個選項中同時放這兩種形式。

  • 這類 -ing 名詞搭配單數動詞,而且不加 a/an:Funding is still available. / The new packaging uses less plastic.
  • 它們常放在另一個名詞前組成複合名詞:the marketing department, an accounting firm, a seating chart, the ticketing office。
  • 要和動名詞(帶受詞的 V-ing)區分:Planning a conference takes months(planning 有受詞 a conference)不同於 Careful planning is essential(planning 是名詞,前面有形容詞)。
-ing 名詞(不可數)同字根名詞(可數)
advertising:廣告業、廣告活動an advertisement:一則廣告
funding:資金、提供資金a fund:一筆基金
planning:規劃工作a plan:一個計畫
seating:座位(總稱)、座位安排a seat:一個座位
ticketing:售票與發票作業a ticket:一張票
clothing:衣物(總稱)clothes(永遠是複數), a garment
packaging:包裝a package:一件包裹、一個包裝
housing:住宅(總稱)a house:一棟房子
marketing, accounting, consulting:領域a market, an account, a consultant
例句
  • The company spent more on advertising this year.公司今年在廣告上花了更多錢。
  • We placed an advertisement in the local newspaper.我們在當地報紙刊登了一則廣告。

多益解題技巧

  1. Part 5 常把不可數名詞放在數量詞之後來考你:much / a great deal of / little + equipment(正確),many / a few / several + equipment(錯誤)。看到 information, equipment, advice, furniture,就立刻刪掉帶 -s 和 a/an 的選項。
  2. 單數可數名詞絕不會單獨出現:如果空格在 customer, employee, report 之前,而前面又沒有冠詞,答案必須是限定詞(a, the, each, every, this, our...),否則名詞就得用複數。
  3. 複合名詞(___ regulations、___ department)中,前面的名詞通常用單數:safety regulations、customer service。常考的例外:sales department、savings account、customs office、electronics store。
  4. 檢查主詞與動詞的一致:不可數名詞(包括 news)搭配單數動詞:The information is accurate.

常見錯誤

錯誤: Could you give me some informations about the tour?

正確: Could you give me some information about the tour?

Information 不可數,不加 -s。

錯誤: We purchased many new equipments for the lab.

正確: We purchased a lot of new equipment for the lab.

Equipment 不可數,所以不用 many,也不加 -s。

錯誤: The news are good for our shareholders.

正確: The news is good for our shareholders.

News 是不可數名詞,搭配單數動詞。

錯誤: Manager will contact you shortly.

正確: The manager will contact you shortly.

單數可數名詞前面需要限定詞。

錯誤: All employees must follow the safeties regulations.

正確: All employees must follow the safety regulations.

複合名詞中放在前面的修飾名詞要用單數。

練習題(附解答)

  1. 1.The new employee handbook contains useful ------- about vacation policies.

    1. (A) informations
    2. (B) an information
    3. (C) informational
    4. (D) information
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (D) information

    information 是不可數名詞:不加 -s,也不用 an。informational 是形容詞,不能作受詞。

  2. 2.All damaged ------- must be returned to the distribution center within 30 days of delivery.

    1. (A) merchandise
    2. (B) merchandises
    3. (C) a merchandise
    4. (D) merchandised
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (A) merchandise

    All damaged 之後需要作主詞的名詞;merchandise 不可數,保持原形。merchandises、a merchandise 錯誤;merchandised 是分詞。

  3. 3.Information about the updated health benefits package ------- available on the HR portal.

    1. (A) is
    2. (B) are
    3. (C) have
    4. (D) being
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (A) is

    主詞 Information 是不可數名詞,搭配單數動詞:is(be + available)。are 是複數;have 既是複數形,又需要受詞,無法構成 be + available;being 沒有時態變化,不能當主要動詞。

  4. 4.How ------- equipment will the technicians need to bring for the installation at the Denver site?

    1. (A) many
    2. (B) few
    3. (C) much
    4. (D) several
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (C) much

    equipment 是不可數名詞,因此用 How much 詢問數量。many、few、several 只接可數複數名詞。

  5. 5.Each ------- of equipment in the laboratory must be labeled with an inventory number.

    1. (A) pieces
    2. (B) much
    3. (C) many
    4. (D) piece
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (D) piece

    要計算不可數名詞 equipment 時須使用單位詞:each piece of equipment。pieces 錯誤,因為 each 接單數;much、many 不能放在 each 之後。

  6. 6.The committee will evaluate each proposal according to three -------: cost, feasibility, and environmental impact.

    1. (A) criterion
    2. (B) criterias
    3. (C) a criterion
    4. (D) criteria
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (D) criteria

    three 之後需要複數;criterion 源自希臘文,複數是 criteria。criterion、a criterion 是單數;criterias 多了 -s。

  7. 7.------- manager from the Chicago office will lead the customer service training on Monday.

    1. (A) Much
    2. (B) A
    3. (C) Many
    4. (D) Few
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (B) A

    manager 是可數單數名詞,必須有單數限定詞:A manager。Much 用於不可數名詞;Many、Few 接複數名詞。

  8. 8.Ms. Bell has accumulated more than ten years of ------- in commercial real estate.

    1. (A) experiences
    2. (B) experience
    3. (C) an experience
    4. (D) experienced
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (B) experience

    ten years of + 工作經驗:用不可數的 experience。experiences、an experience 是可數用法(經歷);experienced 是形容詞。

  9. 9.Every new warehouse employee must attend a two-hour ------- training session during the first week.

    1. (A) safeties
    2. (B) safety
    3. (C) safely
    4. (D) safety's
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (B) safety

    複合名詞中,放在前面作修飾的名詞保持單數:a safety training session。safeties 錯誤,因為前面的名詞不用複數;safely 是副詞;safety's 是所有格。

  10. 10.Ms. Okoye was recently promoted to manager of the ------- department at Velora Cosmetics.

    1. (A) sale
    2. (B) sells
    3. (C) sales
    4. (D) sold
    查看解答與解析

    答案: (C) sales

    部門的固定名稱用名詞 sales(銷售):the sales department。sale 通常指折扣活動或一筆交易(sale price),不用作部門名稱;sells 是動詞;sold 是分詞。

練習題

60 題 Part 5 題型,一次一題,每題作答後立即附上解析。

開始練習

常見問題

可數名詞和不可數名詞有什麼不同?

可數名詞指可以一個一個數的東西,有單數和複數形:an invoice, two invoices。不可數名詞指物質、概念或一個整體,沒有複數,也不搭配 a/an:information, equipment, money。兩者搭配的數量詞不同:可數名詞用 many, few, several;不可數名詞用 much, little, a great deal of。

怎麼知道一個名詞是可數還是不可數?

最可靠的方法是查字典:可數名詞標 [C],不可數名詞標 [U]。考試時,記住幾類通常不可數的名詞:資訊、意見(information, advice, feedback, research)、泛指的物品(equipment, furniture, luggage, merchandise)和抽象概念(access, permission, knowledge)。不要依照中文的直覺判斷,因為「一則資訊」、「一台設備」在中文可以數,在英文卻是不可數的。

information、equipment、advice 有複數形嗎?

沒有。informations, equipments, advices 都是錯的。要表達數量時,用數量詞或計量單位:some information, a lot of equipment, a piece of advice, two items of equipment。想用意思相近的可數名詞,就換一個字:用 a suggestion 代替 advice,用 a device 或 a machine 代替 equipment。

不可數名詞要搭配單數還是複數動詞?

一律搭配單數動詞:The information is accurate、All the equipment has been tested、The news was announced yesterday。即使前面有 all, most, some of the 也一樣:Most of the furniture is new。這是 Part 5 常把兩個文法點結合在一起的地方:選出與不可數名詞一致的動詞。

為什麼說 sales department 而不說 sale department?

一般規則是,複合名詞中放在前面的名詞用單數:safety regulations, customer service, product launch。但有些名詞在 -s 形式時有自己的意思,所以保留 -s:sales(銷售額、銷售業務)、savings(存款)、customs(海關)、electronics(電子產品)。因此要說 sales department, savings account, customs office, electronics store。

staff 是單數還是複數名詞?

staff 是集合名詞,指全體員工。談到其中的每一個人時搭配複數動詞(The staff are very friendly),把整個團隊視為一體時搭配單數動詞(Our staff is small)。指人時不說 a staff 或 three staffs;請用 a staff member、three employees 或 members of staff。