newspaper(報紙)可數嗎

許多同學為便于記憶，學將 newspaper 分解為 news（消息）和 paper（紙）——也就是說，把“消息”印在“紙”上就成了“報紙”。由于news（消息）和 paper（紙）均為不可數名詞，所以許多同學就想當然地認為 newspaper（報紙）也是一個不可數名詞，但是，錯了！當我們把 newspaper 當作一種供閱讀或傳遞信息的東西時，它是可數的——可以連用不定冠詞，也可以使用復數形式。如：

Newspapers littered the floor. 報紙扔了一地。

Newspapers are a medium for advertising. 報紙是廣告的媒介。

He often writes articles for newspapers. 他常為報社寫文章。

They read heaps of newspapers. 他們閱讀了大量的報紙。

The newspapers are full of depressing news. 報紙充滿令人抑郁的消息。

I’ve got so little time; I hardly ever read newspapers. 我時間很緊，不怎么看報。

Our company advertises on television and in newspapers. 我們的公司在電視和報紙上做廣告。

His mother learned of her son’s success in the newspapers. 他母親從報紙上得知她兒子成功的消息。

但是，假若將其僅僅當作一種“紙”來看待，則可以是不可數的。如：

He wrapped the present in newspaper. 他把禮物用報紙包起來。