This book proposes an innovative approach to general nouns. General nouns are defined as high-frequency nouns that are characterized by their textual functions. Although the concept is motivated by Halliday & Hasan (1976), the corpus theoretical approach adopted in the present study is fundamentally different and set in a linguistic framework that prioritizes lexis. The study investigates 20 nouns that are very frequent in mainstream English, as represented by the Bank of English Corpus. The corpus-driven approach to the data involves a critical discussion of descriptive tools, such as patterns, semantic prosodies, and primings of lexical items, and the concept of? local textual functions? is put forward to characterize the functions of the nouns in texts. The study not only suggests a characterization of general nouns, but also stresses that functions of lexical items and properties of texts are closely linked. This link requires new ways of describing language.

The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary is the ideal dictionary for advanced EFL/ESL learners. Easy to use and with a great CD-ROM - the perfect learner's dictionary for exam success. First published as the Cambridge International Dictionary of English, this new edition has been completely updated and redesigned. - References to over 170,000 words, phrases and examples explained in clear and natural English - All the important new words that have come into the language (e.g. dirty bomb, lairy, 9/11, clickable) - Over 200 'Common Learner Error' notes, based on the Cambridge Learner Corpus from Cambridge ESOL exams Plus, on the CD-ROM: - SMART thesaurus - lets you find all the words with the same meaning - QUICKfind - automatically looks up words while you are working on-screen - SUPERwrite - tools for advanced writing, giving help with grammar and collocation - Hear and practise all the words.

This Book Covers The Following Topics: (I). What are Nouns (II). Types of Nouns A. Proper Noun B. Common Noun C. Collective Noun D. Material Noun E. Abstract Noun F. Concrete Noun G. Compound Noun H-1. Countable Noun -- Singular Noun H-2. Countable Noun -- Plural Noun I. Uncountable or Mass Noun J. Possessive Noun (III-A). Countable & Uncountable Nouns – Categorization 1. always countable (both singular & plural) | no uncountable 2. always uncountable | no countable 3A. uncountable + countable (both singular & plural) 3B. uncountable + singular 4A. always singular | no plural 4B. always plural | no singular 5A. (a). uncountable | (b). countable (both singular & plural) 5B. (a). countable (singular and plural) | (b). singular 5C. (a). countable (singular and plural) | (b). plural 5D. (a). countable (singular and plural) | (b). singular | (c). plural 5E. (a). always uncountable | (b). always singular 5F. (a). always uncountable | (b). always plural 6. (a). uncountable and countable (singular as well as plural) | (b). countable (singular as well as plural) 7. (a). uncountable | (b). uncountable + countable (singular as well as plural) 8A. (a). uncountable | (b). countable (singular as well as plural) | (c). uncountable + countable (singular as well as plural) 8B. (a). uncountable | (b). countable (both singular and plural) | (c). singular 8C. (a). uncountable | (b). countable (both singular and plural) | (c). plural 9A-1. countable: usually singular 9A-2. uncountable + usually singular 9A-3. (a). uncountable | (b). usually singular 9A-4. (a). uncountable | (b). usually plural 9A-5. (a). usually singular | (b). countable (both singular and plural) 9B-1. countable: usually plural 9B-2. (a). usually plural | (b). countable (both singular and plural) 9C. (a). always singular | (b). always plural 9D. (a). ‘usually singular’ | (b). ‘usually plural’ 9E. Miscellaneous Patterns 10. Additional Countable and Uncountable Nouns (III-B). Nouns with Singular/Plural Verbs 1. uncountable noun + singular/plural verb 2. singular noun + singular/plural verb 3. countable noun (in singular form) + singular/plural verb (III-C1). Formation of Plural Nouns (1). REGULAR PLURAL NOUNS (2). IRREGULAR PLURAL NOUNS (A). “-y” is changed into “-ies” (B). “-f” and “-fe” is changed into “-ves” (C). “-is” is changed into “-es” (D). “-um” is changed into “-a” (E). “-us” is changed into “-i” (F). “-on/-ian” is changed into “-a” (G). “-ax” / “-ex” is changed into “-ices” (H1). Compound words without dashes (H2). Compound words with dashes (H3). Compound words with a verb (H4). Double Plural (I). “-a” is sometimes changed into “-ae” (J). Change of vowel(s) (J1). “-an” is changed into “-en” (J2). “-oo” is changed into “-ee” (J3). “-o” is changed into “-i” (J4). “-u” is changed into “-ux” (K). Irregular Nouns That Do Not Change When Made Plural (L). Irregular Nouns That Change Substantially (M). Other Irregular Plural Nouns (III-C2). Formation of Nouns from Other Parts of Speech C2-a. Formation of Nouns from Other Nouns C2-b. Formation of Nouns from Adjectives C2-c. Formation of Nouns from Verbs (IV). Nouns and Genders

The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey. It is now a cliché that the world is a smaller place. We think nothing of jumping on a plane to travel to another country or continent. The most exotic locations are now destinations for mass tourism. Small business people are dealing across frontiers and language barriers like never before. The Internet brings different languages and cultures to our finger-tips. English, the hybrid language of an island at the western extremity of Europe seems to have an unrivalled position as an international medium of communication. But historically periods of cultural and economic domination have never lasted forever. Do we not lose something by relying on the wide spread use of English rather than discovering other languages and cultures? As citizens of this shrunken world, would we not be better off if we were able to speak a few languages other than our own? The answer is obviously yes. Certainly Steve Kaufmann thinks so, and in his busy life as a diplomat and businessman he managed to learn to speak nine languages fluently and observe first hand some of the dominant cultures of Europe and Asia. Why do not more people do the same? In his book The Way of The Linguist, A language learning odyssey, Steve offers some answers. Steve feels anyone can learn a language if they want to. He points out some of the obstacles that hold people back. Drawing on his adventures in Europe and Asia, as a student and businessman, he describes the rewards that come from knowing languages. He relates his evolution as a language learner, abroad and back in his native Canada and explains the kind of attitude that will enable others to achieve second language fluency. Many people have taken on the challenge of language learning but have been frustrated by their lack of success. This book offers detailed advice on the kind of study practices that will achieve language breakthroughs. Steve has developed a language learning system available online at: www.thelinguist.com.

"Full-color photographs and simple text provide a brief introduction to nouns as parts of speech"--

Rhyming text and illustrations of comical cats present numerous examples of nouns, from "gown" and "crown" to "boat", "coat", and "clown."