在前三期(4月11日)里，談到不可數(shù)名詞是沒有復數(shù)形式的，但是常常有人不小心，在某些不可數(shù)名詞上加“-s”而犯錯，其中“ experience, equipment, evidence, information”這幾個的錯誤最多。

下面一家裝修商廣告中的“experiences”(經(jīng)驗)便是一例：

“……our many years of reputable experiences.”

須知，當“經(jīng)驗”解時，“experience”是不可數(shù)名詞，不可以有“-s”：“……our many years of reputable experience(許多年聲譽卓著的裝修經(jīng)驗)”。當“各種各樣不同經(jīng)歷”解時，“ experience”是可數(shù)名詞，可以有復數(shù)“-s”的符號，如：

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

學生作業(yè)中，類似的錯誤也不少，如：

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

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

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

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

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

上述這些不可數(shù)名詞的錯誤，是不是很熟悉呢?

剛剛談的錯誤是不可有“-s”而用“-s”。另一種錯誤是應該有 “-s”而不用“-s”。雖然后者不像前者這樣麻煩，但是也不難看到。下面三個不同的廣告中便出現(xiàn)了應該有“-s”但漏了“-s”的名詞：

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

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

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

⑥-⑧里的錯誤顯而易見，只要稍微小心，便不難發(fā)現(xiàn)而改正過來。但是，有關不可數(shù)名詞加“-s”的錯誤，則較難躲閃，必須加倍警惕才好。其中一個防患辦法是借重量詞，反映不可數(shù)名詞之“量” ，但不改變其形，即不要用“-s”，如：

⑨ There isn’t 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.