Rain check
Dear Dr English,
I found the word Òrain checkÓ in a context about a sports event and in another occasion in an advertisement. What exactly does the word Òrain checkÓ mean?
Please also give some examples. Thanks.
Yuwadee Nagabamroong
Basically, Òrain checkÓ is an American expression. In a sports context, a rain check is a ticket that allows a spectator to see an event at a later time if bad weather stops that event from happening. For example:
See that we have the rain checks before leaving home.
Stores from time to time run out of some particular goods so they give assurance to customers who want to purchase the item that they can but it later at the sale price.
The discount heaters were already sold out but the store will have a new delivery in two weeks so the manager offered us a rain check.
ÒRain checkÓ is also appeared in the expression, Òtake a rain check on somethingÓ. When you cannot accept someoneÕs invitation, but would like to do it at a later time, you say: ÒI would really like to go to the movie with you tonight but I am having an exam tomorrow morning. I hope youÕll give me a rain checkÓ (or ÒIÕll have to take a rain checkÓ).
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Where to put an ÒsÓ
Dear Dr English,
In my monthly report, I have to deal with the numbers and quantities of various items. One day, I ran into this specific item, 500 pieces of quilts. I noticed that there are two plural words in this phrase, which shouldn't be. Where should I put an ÒsÓ?
Pimpun Tangtrakulchai
IÕm afraid there is a little confusion here. First of all, allow me to explain some points about how to form plural nouns. Nouns are divided into two groups: countable and uncountable nouns. To change a singular countable noun into plural is not much of a problem, as we all very well know. You simply add an ÒsÓ or ÒesÓ at the end of the word, substituting nouns ending in ÒfÓ or ÒfeÓ with ÒvesÓ, etc. But for uncountable nouns, how do we count sugar, milk or butter? Uncountable nouns are counted by measuring their quantities, i.e. two kilograms of sugar, four bars of soap, 10 sheets/pieces of paper. From your question, it is clear that ÒquiltÓ is a countable noun; therefore it should be Ò500 quiltsÓ.
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