我們曾談到不可數(shù)名詞是沒有復(fù)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(cuò)，其中“ experience， equipment， evidence， information”這幾個(gè)的錯(cuò)誤最多。

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

　　“……our many years of reputable experiences.”

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

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

　　類似的錯(cuò)誤如：

　　1. A lot of factors led to students' poor performances. (應(yīng)為 performance)

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

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

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

　　5. There is still much room for further improvements.(應(yīng)為 improvement)

　　上述這些不可數(shù)名詞的錯(cuò)誤，是不是很熟悉呢?

　　剛剛談的錯(cuò)誤是不可有“-s”而用“-s”。另一種錯(cuò)誤是應(yīng)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(gè)不同的廣告中便出現(xiàn)了應(yīng)該有“-s”但漏了“-s”的名詞：

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

　　7.“Dear customer: Have you been misled by too many brochure?”(應(yīng)為 brochures)。

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

　　6—8里的錯(cuò)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(guān)不可數(shù)名詞加“-s”的錯(cuò)誤，則較難躲閃，必須加倍警惕才好。其中一個(gè)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.