News - Singular form
News always is considered as having singular form and it is uncountable. But I have heard following expression, which was reported to be wrong (because of uncountability) on an English grammar website.
"I have a good news for you." (It is usually said by the doctor after the delivery to relatives.)
Is it wrong? Should I say "I have good news for you." Can't we use "a"? I know the reason why we can't say like that, but I have heard above expression multiple times. What about that?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 6
3
It's incorrect to use "a" there. What you've seen on the grammar website is correct. Sometimes people don't know the rules, sometimes they do but they don't follow them. :)
0
"A good news" is definitely wrong. I never hear it from native speakers but often hear it from students.
0
No, "a good news" is incorrect. :) "A coffee" is fine. :)
You can think of "a" or "an" as meaning "there could have been any number of these things but there happens to be only one." In that light, it can't apply to news, since news is uncountable.
0
a piece of good news --> a good news
a cup of coffee --> a coffee
My teacher said that it is acceptable in spoken English, but we shouldn't use it in writing.
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
