Cards

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

But I still don't like "bowls" or "droughts". (I'm quoting Irmamar here, and she used "droughts", which I take to mean lack of water for a period of time. In BrE, "draught" means what we call "draft" in AmE .)

I can tell you that in context, she means draughts, which is checkers.

Originally Posted by laepelba

I agree! Linguistics, Economics, etc. They are NOT plural nouns. I can take a class in linguistics or economics. I don't know that I could imagine an instance for using the word "linguistic" or "economic" as a noun. (They ARE adjectives, though.)

But I bet you have studied math, whereas in the UK we all study maths

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I can tell you that in context, she means draughts, which is checkers.

Okay - then is "bowls" a game? Because the only meaning of "bowls" I know is what I eat my soup in. Certainly not a noncount noun.

I never heard of "draughts" before, but just plugged it into an online dictionary and it came up as British English for our word "draft".

Originally Posted by Perikles

But I bet you have studied math, whereas in the UK we all study maths

Of course, I have a degree in maths. (not joking here!)

[irmamar]

But my book says that they are nouns. "Linguistics is my best subject" is a correct sentence and here Linguistics is a noun, since it is the subject of the sentence. Furthermore, wordreference says "uncountable", so it is a noun.

What about "news"? Is correct: "News says that..."

(that is what my book says, it's written by my teacher -BrE-).

Draughts is damas (el juego de damas).

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by irmamar

But my book says that they are nouns. "Linguistics is my best subject" is a correct sentence and here Linguistics is a noun, since it is the subject of the sentence. Furthermore, wordreference says "uncountable", so it is a noun.

What about "news"? Is correct: "News says that..."

(that is what my book says, it's written by my teacher -BrE-).

RIGHT! I meant that "linguistics" is a noun, but "linguistic" (sin "s") is an adjective.

I would also agree with "news" as a noncount noun.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Okay - then is "bowls" a game?

Yes, large wooden balls (bowls) rolled along the gound to hit a small target ball. Played by people over the age of 80.

Originally Posted by laepelba

I never heard of "draughts" before, but just plugged it into an online dictionary and it came up as British English for our word "draft".

I assure you, it is your game of checkers.

Originally Posted by laepelba

Of course, I have a degree in maths. (not joking here!)

So do I, well, theoretical physics, which is more or less the same!

[irmamar]

But I wrote linguistics, with "s".

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

So do I, well, theoretical physics, which is more or less the same!

No, not really - because you have to consider friction. Mathematics is the only truly pure science.

Originally Posted by irmamar

But I wrote linguistics, with "s".

I know you did. I was about to write that there is no such word as "linguistic", but realized that there IS the word "linguistic" but that it's NOT a noun. That's all.

[pjt33]

I think I would say "Bowls is similar to pétanque", "Darts is a popular pub game", etc. Can't think of a sentence in which I'd use "cards" as a singular.

[irmamar]

OK. Thanks.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

No, not really - because you have to consider friction. Mathematics is the only truly pure science.

Oh dear oh dear. Mathematics is an art.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by pjt33

Can't think of a sentence in which I'd use "cards" as a singular.

Before spinning the wool, you have to card it.

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Oh dear oh dear. Mathematics is an art.

BOTH - art AND science!!

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

BOTH - art AND science!!

[laepelba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Before spinning the wool, you have to card it.

NOT a noun, singular, plural or otherwise.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

NOT a noun, singular, plural or otherwise.

I know - I only realized after posting, and I can't keep up with this pace of posting. I blame it on the cheap Spanish wine.... (it's evening here, by the way)

[laepelba]

You go enjoy your wine. It's 2:00pm here, a holiday, and I need to go to the grocery store. I'm going to hit the Argentinian malbec later this evening.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by laepelba

You go enjoy your wine. It's 2:00pm here, a holiday, and I need to go to the grocery store. I'm going to hit the Argentinian malbec later this evening.

Thanks - grammar stops here. Have a nice holiday with malbec.

[irmamar]

What is "malbec"?

[laepelba]

It's a kind of red wine.

[irmamar]

OK, I didn't know this kind. Thanks.