knowledge常应看作不可数名词

有人问到这样一句话:

(1)She has a good knowledge of English and not much knowledge of English history.

从这句话看来,knowledge既可用作可数名词,也可用作不可数名词,对否?

从上述句(1)只能看出knowledge是一不可数名词,而这也是knowledge的一般用法。请注意:前面冠以a的名词不一定都是可数名词,虽然仍具有单数概念(如“一种”、“一阵”等)。例如下面句中的物质名词和抽象名词皆不可数:

(2)He was in a sweat .

(3)It may be used as a food for sick people.

(4)China extends a welcome to visitors from every land.

(5)Now I need a rest .

像上述句(1)中a good knowledge这样的“a+修饰语+物质名词或抽象名词”结构更是屡见不鲜。实例再如:

(6)A heavy dew fell.

(7)Hang the picture in a good light .

(8)He has a keen intelligence .

修饰语亦可后置;如:

(9)A contagion of fear seems to be spreading all through the city. (修饰语为of fear)

(10)Helen's is an admiration that I value greatly. (修饰语为that从句)

名词knowledge偶尔也有复数形式,但这是一种特殊情况,不足为训。