On the issue of the unambiguity of the expression of quantitative relations in a noun in English

Abstract

This article discusses the unambiguity of expressing quantitative relations in English nouns. The authors conclude that all the nouns they considered transmitted quantitative information. Unambiguity of uncountable nouns is achieved by contrasting the unmarked form of the noun of a single object with the marked form of the noun of multiple objects with the same noun. Collective countable nouns have inherent ambiguity, and the noun of the implied group is repeated in the plural form. Homogeneity and unambiguity of objects and unambiguity within a collective group of objects are essential for understanding the meaning of a collective term. Homogeneity allows us to distinguish individual elements within a group as a whole and helps create a clear understanding of the plural nature of the group. Collective nouns that refer to groups of similar objects are usually countable, while those that refer to heterogeneous groups are not. Abstract and concrete nouns in their unmarked forms function as a single unit, representing both a mental concept and a substance or material without entering into a numerical opposition with other concepts that cannot be quantified.