Is the word snow countable or uncountable

• #1

is «snow » countable or uncountable ?

• #2

Hello Malek,
Welcome to the forums.

Most often it is uncountable. When used to describe particular snowstorms, it is countable.

«The snow

is falling.»

«We have had many lights snows [C] this winter, and one very deep one.»

• #3

«We have had many lights snows [C] this winter, and one very deep one.»

In BE, we’d have to say many light falls of snow….

So, we say much snow, and never many snows.

• #4

In BE, we’d have to say many light falls of snow….

So, we say much snow, and never many snows.

Thanks for pointing out the distinction in AE and BE usage. In AE we would be more
likely to say ‘snowfalls’ than ‘falls of snow’.

Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary takes issue with your «never many snows.»

2 [C] a single fall of snow:
We haven’t had many heavy snows this winter.

I wonder how ‘much’ would fit with the examples from the Oxford Advanced Learners Dict.

2 snows [pl.] (literary) an amount of snow that falls in one particular place or at one particular time: the first snows of winter the snows of Everest

• #5

Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary takes issue with your «never many snows.»

Yes, I was just coming back to say we do say, and it sounds quite literary, the winter snows for the snows of winter, e.g. the snows of winter had cut the house off from civilization for many months. Logically we ought then to be able to say ‘we haven’t had many snows this winter’, but I’ve never heard it, and so I would take issue with your book if it’s suggesting that it’s current in BE. I think it sounds so strange as to be incorrect. I’d expect someone to say we haven’t had much snow this winter, or we haven’t had many falls of snow this winter.

I think we talk about rain in the same way.

I wonder what other BE speakers think.

• #6

We agree far more than we disagree.

I’d expect someone to say we haven’t had much snow this winter,

That is also true of AE.

I only urge caution about statements including words like ‘never’. The British National Corpus lists many
dozens of examples of ‘snows’, and yes, they are mostly literary citations.

…and so I would take issue with your book…

It’s not ‘my book’. It is a publication of Cambridge University Press, on line. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=75229&dict=CALD
You might wish to have a friendly word with the staff of lexicographers there as to the currency of the usage in BE.

• #7

Surely snows in the plural implies instances or periods of snowfall? The commodity snow, is simply snow in the plural.

• #8

Surely snows in the plural implies instances or periods of snowfall? The commodity snow, is simply snow in the plural.

Thanks for this, Nelson. I want to tap your knowledge of BE. I want to know if you can think of a sentence in which you would naturally use the expression many snows.

Cuchu, I’m very sorry about that never. I’m usually hesitant about using the word and you are right to chastize me. Let’s see what the other Brits say, before I write this learned letter to Cambridge. I may turn out to be wrong about that too.

I’ve suddenly thought of that poem which starts Many waters cannot quench love: there’s another odd use for you (Song of Solomon 8:7)!

• #9

‘Many snows’ sounds to me like someone doing an ethnic accent for a film to me! Rains is the same. The rains of Ranjipur are the wet spells not the actual droplets of water. But you wouldn’t say many rains…

• #10

Thomas,
You have grounds, I think, to question the Cambridge example sentence.

While many snows that fall at temperatures close to 32oF and snows accompanied by strong winds do contain approximately one inch of water per ten inches of …
www.ukweatherworld.co.uk/forum/forums/printer-friendly.asp?tid=9482&mid= — 36k —

This is one of a tiny handful of google findings for «many snows» from .uk web sites.

• #11

This land of little more than 2m people and 24m sheep, enclosed between China and Russia in an area three times the size of France, had already appealed for emergency food aid to get it through the winter when

the worst snows

for 50 years hit three provinces in the south-west.

The Economist Newspaper, 1993

Nelson Drake said:

Surely snows in the plural implies instances or periods of snowfall?

Yes.

• #12

Cuchu,

Quote:
While many snows that fall at temperatures close to 32oF and snows accompanied by strong winds do contain approximately one inch of water per ten inches of …
http://www.ukweatherworld.co.uk/foru…?tid=9482&mid= — 36k —

The sample sentence is interesting because it sounds like a metereological expert talking about different sorts of snowfall: he needs a language in which he can talk of falls with big cold flakes, as opposed to those in which the flakes are wetter and melt more quickly. He says ‘snows’ because he’s talking about them so often that saying snowfalls would take from him a substantial part of his waking day. I can see that in this technical sense you might find a scientist, or conceivably a guide at a ski station, talking of snows in this sort of way, and saying things like ‘many snows will not damage buildings, but a very wet snow, which impacts quickly will break beams’. Oh the dangers of saying never!

In ordinary non-specialist speech, such as I indulge in, and also Nelson, it seems, it remains extremely strange to say many snows.

• #13

Quote:
This land of little more than 2m people and 24m sheep, enclosed between China and Russia in an area three times the size of France, had already appealed for emergency food aid to get it through the winter when the worst snows for 50 years hit three provinces in the south-west.

Yes, I hoped we had accepted this use. It seems to me the same as the Rains of Ranjipur which Nelson mentioned. In rainy and snowy areas we do talk of the rains and the snows of a particular winter, but I would find it odd for someone to talk of a winter in which they had many rains. We be more likely to say that the rains had been particularly prolonged or intense one particular year.

• #14

Thomas,
Full agreement from this side of the puddle. Snows is most often found in travel book descriptions and
weather forecasts, which are among my favorite forms of light fiction.

• #15

From my understanding:

‘Snows’ is used when discussing types of snow. In all other instances, it is non-countable.

The snows in March tend to be wetter than the snows in January.

Orange Blossom

• #16

A flake of nitpicking, Orange Blossom…

From my understanding:

‘Snows’ is used when discussing types and frequencies of snowfalls. In all other instances, it is non-countable.

The snows in March tend to be wetter than the snows in January.

Orange Blossom

My first comment in post #2 agrees with your statement.

• #17

I suspect that the apparent transatlantic difference is related more to different climates than different usage. In the UK we don’t get a great deal of snow. Hence, I suggest, there is not much conversation about «the snows in January». We could go for years without there being enough snow in January to be worth talking about.

• #18

I’ve just been out tromping around in the snow. We have had a few deep snowfalls in March, so I’m in a mood to accept Panj’s theory. There is only about half a foot of snow [Uncountable] left if the back field, but the last few snows [countable] have left up to three foot drifts in the shade at the base of the church hill.

• #19

A flake of nitpicking, Orange Blossom… Quote:
Originally Posted by Orange Blossom

From my understanding:

‘Snows’ is used when discussing types and frequencies of snowfalls. In all other instances, it is non-countable.

The snows in March tend to be wetter than the snows in January.

Orange Blossom

My first comment in post #2 agrees with your statement.

One other thing occurs to me:

If I say types of snowfalls, I think of the manner in which the snow fell and perhaps the kind of flakes that fell as well.

Once it is on the ground, another factor comes into play. The texture and type of snow alters sometimes upon landing, in other instances over time, and yet others on how it mixes or rests on other kinds of snows (an important consideration in avalanche country). Skiers discuss the different kinds of snow in relationship to the kind of wax they need to put on the skis. In this case, discussing snowfalls doesn’t quite fit the bill. Those who make snow-sculptures and snow forts would also be discussing the kind of snow after it is fallen rather than the snow as it was falling. So, perhaps there are three distinct situations in which we speak of snows.

Orange Blossom

• #20

You both appear to be assuming that if we can say snows, we must be able to say many snows. I still feel that in the case of the type of snow (remember that black snow that fell in Vermont in the winter of ’64? Not many snows are quite like that) you can talk about many snows, but in the case of the snows of Kilimanjaro you can’t. Many snows come to Kilimanjaro wouldn’t be a thing a BE speaker would be likely to say, even if he had been long in Africa and had much experience of the snows of the mountain. He’d say the snows were abundant this year possibly, but we had much snow that winter rather than we had many snows that winter.

• #21

You both appear to be assuming that if we can say snows, we must be able to say many snows. I still feel that in the case of the type of snow (remember that black snow that fell in Vermont in the winter of ’64? Not many snows are quite like that) you can talk about many snows, but in the case of the snows of Kilimanjaro you can’t. Many snows come to Kilimanjaro wouldn’t be a thing a BE speaker would be likely to say, even if he had been long in Africa and had much experience of the snows of the mountain. He’d say the snows were abundant this year possibly, but we had much snow that winter rather than we had many snows that winter.

In CaE I agree with this. You may hear (in a literary sense) «there aren’t

many snows

like the one we had last year,» but it sounds a bit strange all around to say «there are many snows in Calgary.» In common talk, however, you would more likely hear «we had a lot of snow last winter».

• #22

I wasn’t thinking specifically of the phrase «many snows». «Different snows» yes.

There are six different snows on the ground creating hazardous conditions. Avalanches are to be expected, so it would be wise to stay out of this area.Of course there are these kinds of sentences as well:

We had many wet snows in March as well as a few grainy powdery snows.

In February we had several extremely dry snows with a couple snows made of very big flakes in between.

Oh for someone from Alaska or the far north of Canada who speaks both an Inuit language and English to help us out of this muddle of discussing different kinds of snows. It would be interesting, in fact, to know how they render language related to snow into English.

Orange Blossom

• #23

Oh for someone from Alaska or the far north of Canada who speaks both an Inuit language and English to help us out of this muddle of discussing different kinds of snows. It would be interesting, in fact, to know how they render language related to snow into English.

Allow me to recommend The Great Eskimo Vocabulary Hoax and Other Irreverent Essays on the Study of Language by linguist Geoffrey K. Pullum. There are probably debunking discussions of this Eskimo-and-snow-vocabulary on the Internet as well.

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(uncountable) Snow is precipitation (falling water) that is white and frozen. I love the snow. (countable) A snow is a time when snow falls from the sky. The snows of winter will soon come.

Is the word snow plural?

The noun snow can be countable or uncountable. In more general, commonly used, contexts, the plural form will also be snow. However, in more specific contexts, the plural form can also be snows e.g. in reference to various types of snows or a collection of snows.

How old is the word snow?

snow (v.) c. 1300, from the noun, replacing Old English sniwan, which would have yielded modern snew (which existed as a parallel form until 17c.

snow. (uncountable) The frozen, crystalline state of water that falls as precipitation. (uncountable) Any similar frozen form of a gas or liquid.

Is snow a proper or common noun?

So the answer is yes, ‘snows’ can be used as a plural noun but it is not common and is not natural sounding. So if you are translating from a language with plural snow, you should reword to avoid the plural.

What is the adjective of snow?

abounding in or covered with snow: snowy fields. characterized by snow, as the weather: a snowy day. pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling snow. of the color of snow; snow-white: snowy skin.

What is the adverb for snow?

It is snowing–snowing furiously.”

What is another word for snow?

What is another word for snow?

blizzard	snowdrift
snowfall	snowflakes
sleet	snowstorm
flakes	snowfield
snowpack	powder

What is the Greek name for snow?

Chione comes from the Greek χιών and means snow. According to Greek mythology, Chione was the daughter of Boreas, the god of the cold north wind and bringer of winter.

Who is God of winter?

Boreas (Βορέας, Boréas; also Βορρᾶς, Borrhás) was the Greek god of the cold north wind and the bringer of winter. His name meant “North Wind” or “Devouring One”.

Who is the goddess of snow?

Khione

Can you name your child snow?

Snow Origin and Meaning The name Snow is a girl’s name of English origin. There’s definitely a cold front of names for winter babies moving in, with Summer, Spring and Autumn giving way to Winter–plus North, January, Frost–and Snow.

Is snow a good nickname?

35. Snow. Snow is the best name to be given to your winter-born baby girl. The beauty of a snowflake is in its tenderness, just like your little princess.

Does Snow White have a name?

In Disney’s Once upon a time Snow White is also known as Mary but could that be her real name if so why wouldn’t they include her name (Mary) in the movie or why didn’t any website tell me her name was Mary instead of saying they don’t know.

What boy name means snow?

Boy Names that Mean Snow or Winter

• Andri – Old Norse, means “snowshoe”
• Bylur – Icelandic, means “snowstorm”
• Dong – Chinese, means “winter”
• Douglas – Scottish, means “Christmas tree”
• Edur – Basque, means “snow”
• Eirwen – Welsh, means “white as snow”
• Eryi – English, Welsh, means “from Snowdon”

What names mean white?

25 Boy Names That Mean White

• Ailbhe. Derived from the old Irish word albho, meaning ‘white’, it is the name of an Irish legend warrior.
• Alban. The name means ‘white’ in Latin.
• Albus.
• Alvar.
• Arjun.
• Bainbridge.
• Blanco.
• Boyne.

What Japanese boy name means snow?

Yukio

What are good snow names?

Winter baby names: 51 beautiful wintry baby names – and their meanings

• Alaska. The name Alaska, traditionally used for girls, conjures up images of beautiful snowy plains and mountains.
• Aspen.
• Aster.
• Aubin.
• Bodhi.
• Bianca.
• Carol.
• Christian.

What is a winter name?

Winter is a word name meaning “the coldest season of the year”. It takes place in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August.” Tuetonic meaning: bringing of renewal/Rebirth of Spring.

What is a good name for a snow leopard?

A Snow Leopard could be named as Snowy, Winter, or Alpine. A male could be called Peter, Silver, or Smoke, and a female leopard could be named as Mia, Alex, or Alexa.

What do you call a female leopard?

A female leopard is a leopardess; if your leopard is female, here are cute names you might like.

What are white tigers called?

White Tiger Names

• Blanca.
• Snow White.
• River.
• Smokey.
• Snowy.
• Misty.
• Pearl.
• Icy.

What is a good name for a female leopard?

Leopardess

Is Hunter a female name?

Hunter is an English unisex given name.

What is a synonym for Leopard?

In this page you can discover 20 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for leopard, like: panther, jaguar, tiger, , tapir, serval, rhinoceros, rhino, cat, pardine and cheetah.

What is the female horse name?

mare

What is a female horse over 5 years old called?

As others have said, the article a in that sentence is modifying the word storm, not snow.

That said, it’s worth pointing out that we can use an indefinite article before the word snow, even when the word storm doesn’t follow. A bad snowstorm is often called a big snow, even without the word storm:

We had a big snow in December, but the warm winds have melted most of the snow in the low range of mountains here. (Climatological Data for the United States by Sections, Volume 7, Jan. 1920)

We had a big snow the night before that last game and it was like playing on concrete. (Todd Mishler, Blood, Sweat, and Cheers: Great Football Rivalries of the Big Ten, 2007)

In Grandview, when a big snow came, it was a wholesale holiday for everybody. That way folks stayed safe, warm, and dry. (Robert Hill, The Color of Sabbath, 2007)

Similarly, we can say:

We had a huge rain on Sunday, which has caused the river to rise.

In contexts such as these, phrases like «a big snow» and «a huge rain» are acceptable, shortened ways of saying «a large amount of snowfall» or «a huge amount of rain.»

You are right when you say that snow is not a countable noun. But you are wrong if you think that all mass nouns can never be used in a countable context. English is too flexible to adhere to such rigid rules.

Приложения:

Ответы

Ответ:

countable (исчисляемые): egg (яйцо), tomato (помидор), flower (цветок), cake (торт), apple (яблоко), dress (платье), potato (картофель), carrot (морковь), cucumber (огурец), sandwich (бутерброд).

uncountable (неисчисляемые): milk (молоко), bread (хлеб), snow (снег), juice (сок), butter (масло сливочное), salt (соль), meat (мясо), rice (рис), oil (масло растительное или оливковое), sugar (сахар).

Объяснение:

countable (исчисляемые) — те предметы, которые можно посчитать поштучно. К таким существительным спокойно можно добавлять окончание множественного числа -s.

uncountable (неисчисляемые) — те предметы, которые поштучно посчитать нельзя (обычно это сыпучие, жидкие продукты). С ними используются особые собирательные существительные:

• a loaf of bread — буханка хлеба
• a glass of milk — стакан молока и т.п.

Чтобы сказать о чем-то в большем количестве, множественное число образуется от собирательного существительного:

• 1 loaf of bread- 2 loaves of brad (одна буханка хлеба — две буханки хлеба)
• 1 glass of milk — 2 glasses of milk (один стакан молока — два стакана молока).

Ответ:

Countable: egg-eggs, tomato — tomatoes, flower- flowers, cake- cakes, apple- apples,

dress- dresses, potato- potatoes, carrot-carrots, cucumber- cucumbers, sandwich — sandwiches

Uncountable: milk, bread, snow, juice, butter, salt, meat, rice, oil, sugar.

Объяснение:

Интересные вопросы

Verified answer

Ответ:

countable (исчисляемые): egg (яйцо), tomato (помидор), flower (цветок), cake (торт), apple (яблоко), dress (платье), potato (картофель), carrot (морковь), cucumber (огурец), sandwich (бутерброд).

uncountable (неисчисляемые): milk (молоко), bread (хлеб), snow (снег), juice (сок), butter (масло сливочное), salt (соль), meat (мясо), rice (рис), oil (масло растительное или оливковое), sugar (сахар).

Объяснение:

countable (исчисляемые) — те предметы, которые можно посчитать поштучно. К таким существительным спокойно можно добавлять окончание множественного числа -s.

uncountable (неисчисляемые) — те предметы, которые поштучно посчитать нельзя (обычно это сыпучие, жидкие продукты). С ними используются особые собирательные существительные:

• a loaf of bread — буханка хлеба
• a glass of milk — стакан молока и т.п.

Чтобы сказать о чем-то в большем количестве, множественное число образуется от собирательного существительного:

• 1 loaf of bread- 2 loaves of brad (одна буханка хлеба — две буханки хлеба)
• 1 glass of milk — 2 glasses of milk (один стакан молока — два стакана молока).

Which of these nouns are countable and which are uncountable? Continue the lists.

Rain, shop, snow, ice, building, place, tea, animal, road, grass, market, water, river, bank.
Countable

shop

building
…
Uncountable

rain

snow
…