When should the plural form of the nouns combustible, material and liquid be used?
Learn English – When do you use the plural form for nouns that are generally considered uncountable
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When should the plural form of the nouns combustible, material and liquid be used?
Best Answer
The plural form is used when the speaker wishes to emphasize a reference to different types of the mass noun in question.
At least in Am. E., "combustible" most often plural when it is used as a noun ("Put the combustibles in that closet") unless you are really singling out one category ("Is gasoline a combustible?", and even that sounds a little odd).
Since it is used more and is a more general term, "material" sometimes can refer to more than one type, where it is just referring to general stuff ("We'll need more material to build a house") but could just as easily be plural if you want to emphasize that it's not just one type ("We'll need more materials to build a house"). Liquid is similar, "Liquids go under the sink" implies a grouping of different liquids, but if it is all of one type, or the type is not important, then singular: "The host of You Can't Do That On Television was covered in liquid".