Proofreading Service - Pain in the English
Proofreading Service - Pain in the English

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Proofreading Service - Pain in the English
Proofreading Service - Pain in the English

Your Pain Is Our Pleasure

24-Hour Proofreading Service—We proofread your Google Docs or Microsoft Word files. We hate grammatical errors with a passion. Learn More

Trouble with Trouble

When is “trouble” a countable noun? In what context, would you say “a trouble” or “troubles”?

“He is trouble.” “He gave me a lot of trouble.”

In both cases above, I’m tempted to say:

“He is a trouble.” “He gave me a lot of troubles.”

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Comments

Trouble has many definitions. Among other things it can be a state or a specific situation. So depending on what you mean either one could be correct. Check out the definition and examples:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=trouble

IngisKahn1 Apr-29-2003

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The usage of trouble in the sentences used initially is correct. In the way you seem feel more comfortable saying it, the word problem might be better suited.

esc6574 Jun-01-2003

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I don't think the word "trouble" should not be considered a countable noun. For different people and different situations, trouble can really be either one "thing" or many "things". I think that the word "trouble" encompasses all forms of ifself, therefore, does not need to be pluralized. Also, in the sentence "he gave me a lot of troubles", you have already espressed plurality in "a lot", so, "trouble" need not be pluralized.

"Troubles" would be used, then, as a verb. As in, "his behaviour troubles me." (A substitute for worry, I guess)

pseudomatic1 Jun-03-2003

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oops! I meant, i think the word should NOT be considered a countable noun.

sorry!

pseudomatic1 Jun-03-2003

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Maybe it would be easier if trouble wasn't a countable noun, but that's the way it goes. Both dictionaries and common usage treat it as such. The use of the plural just emphasises the fact that there are multiple troubles. I hope this doesn't cause you any troubles. :)

IngisKahn1 Jun-04-2003

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I've largely encountered it as a noun in the vernacular, not Standard English. There are, for instance, a few blues songs that will use phrases like, "Lord, I got troubles."

antheia Jun-25-2003

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Don't forget double trouble!

I would say "I have trouble," if there's just the one. I would use "I have troubles" if my woman done left me, my mule done left me, and weevils ate the taters and I was therefore, in a sea of troubles.

anonymous4 Nov-25-2003

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Anonymous is correct.

M_Stevenson Apr-11-2004

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trouble is a troubling word.

It is a word common in the African American vernacular (as so deftly captured by anonymous).

the "done" verb form seems to be an African-Americanism, or perhaps from the American south: it is an intensifier, or a signifier of permanence

My woman done left me

(my woman left, and she's not visiting her mother, she is not coming back EVER and dammit, it hurts.)

Liz1 May-01-2004

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