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, meeting | information, 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 of | much, little, a little, a great deal of, an amount of |
| 兩者通用 | some, any, a lot of, lots of, plenty of, no, most | some, any, a lot of, lots of, plenty of, no, most |
- 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 -s | report → reports, client → clients |
| 字尾 -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -z:加 -es | tax → taxes, branch → branches, business → businesses |
| 子音 + y:去 y 加 -ies | company → companies, delivery → deliveries(但 day → days) |
| 字尾 -f/-fe:通常改為 -ves | shelf → 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。
- 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 |
- 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。
- 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 + 's | Ms. 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 's | the children's section, people's opinions |
| 事物、概念、較長的片語 | the + N + of + N | the 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 |
- 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 |
|---|---|
| for | demand for, need for, request for, reason for, responsibility for, preference for, application for, payment for |
| in | increase in, decrease in, rise in, decline in, drop in, change in, interest in, experience in, delay in, investment in |
| to | access to, solution to, approach to, damage to, response to, contribution to, commitment to, alternative to |
| on | effect on, impact on, influence on, emphasis on, focus on, tax on, advice on, restriction on |
| of | lack of, cause of, advantage of, knowledge of, cost of, copy of, variety of, example of |
| with | problem with, relationship with, contact with, agreement with, connection with |
| about / over | concern about/over, question about, information about, dispute over, control over |
- 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 |
- 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
- 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。 - 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。 - 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。 - 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.The new employee handbook contains useful ------- about vacation policies.
- (A) informations
- (B) an information
- (C) informational
- (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.All damaged ------- must be returned to the distribution center within 30 days of delivery.
- (A) merchandise
- (B) merchandises
- (C) a merchandise
- (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.Information about the updated health benefits package ------- available on the HR portal.
- (A) is
- (B) are
- (C) have
- (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.How ------- equipment will the technicians need to bring for the installation at the Denver site?
- (A) many
- (B) few
- (C) much
- (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.Each ------- of equipment in the laboratory must be labeled with an inventory number.
- (A) pieces
- (B) much
- (C) many
- (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
pieceof equipment。pieces錯誤,因為 each 接單數;much、many不能放在 each 之後。6.The committee will evaluate each proposal according to three -------: cost, feasibility, and environmental impact.
- (A) criterion
- (B) criterias
- (C) a criterion
- (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.------- manager from the Chicago office will lead the customer service training on Monday.
- (A) Much
- (B) A
- (C) Many
- (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:
Amanager。Much用於不可數名詞;Many、Few接複數名詞。8.Ms. Bell has accumulated more than ten years of ------- in commercial real estate.
- (A) experiences
- (B) experience
- (C) an experience
- (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.Every new warehouse employee must attend a two-hour ------- training session during the first week.
- (A) safeties
- (B) safety
- (C) safely
- (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
safetytraining 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.Ms. Okoye was recently promoted to manager of the ------- department at Velora Cosmetics.
- (A) sale
- (B) sells
- (C) sales
- (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。
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。