Most commonly used nouns

[mjldba]

Found this article today on msnbc.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13474716/

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Obsessed with 'time'? Word is most used noun

'Year', 'day', and 'week' also in Oxford dictionary's list of most used nouns
The Associated Press


Updated: 8:50 a.m. ET June 22, 2006
LONDON - For those who think the world is obsessed with “time,” an Oxford dictionary added support to the theory Thursday in announcing that the word is the most often used noun in the English language.

“The” is the most commonly used word overall, followed by “be,” “to,” “of,” and, “a,” “in,” “that,” “have,” and “I,” according to the “Concise Oxford English Dictionary.”

On the list of top 25 nouns, time is followed by other movement indicators with “year” in third place, “day” in fifth and “week” at No. 17.

The dictionary used the Oxford English Corpus — a research project into English in the 21st century — to come up with the lists.

Among nouns, “person” is ranked at No. 2, with “man” at No. 7 and “woman” at No. 14. “Child” appears at No. 12.

“Government” appears at No. 20 while “war,” at No. 49, trumps “peace,” which did not make the top 100.

The list of top 25 nouns: time, person, year, way, day, thing, man, world, life, hand, part, child, eye, woman, place, work, week, case, point, government, company, number, group, problem, fact.

 

[columb]

I always thought it was I which doesn't even make it into your top twenty five. One wonders what their sample space is.

Ceci n'est pas une signature
Columb Healy

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
Strictly speaking, I believe that 'I' is a pronoun...







To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[columb]

<humour>
And here, in hair splitter's corner, the discussion centres on whether pronouns are a subsection of nouns or a separate entity.
</humour>

Ceci n'est pas une signature
Columb Healy

 

[CajunCenturion]

Doesn't the article state that "I" is the 10th most used word overall?

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[Turkbear]

Hi,
I need to split hairs, otherwise I do not have enough of them..







To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[RCorrigan]

Turkbear
You could always have some rabbits tatooed on your scalp
.&gt;
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From a distance they look like Hares

(I'll get my coat !!!!!)

&lt;Do I need A Signature or will an X do?&gt;

 

[sleipnir214]

columb:
I'll split that hair.

“The” is the most commonly used word overall, followed by “be,” “to,” “of,” and, “a,” “in,” “that,” “have,” and “I,” according to the “Concise Oxford English Dictionary.”

The list of top 25 nouns: time, person, year, way, day, thing, man, world, life, hand, part, child, eye, woman, place, work, week, case, point, government, company, number, group, problem, fact.

It looks to me like the Oxford Dictionary is listing pronouns in a separate category. Which they, of course, are.



Want the best answers? Ask the best questions! TANSTAAFL!

 

[SilentAiche]

"Booty is in the I of the holder."

Or something like that.

Besides, oui all know that one must split hares fur good luck. Just below the bun-knee.

er, Bob



[blue]________________________________________________________
"To be rather than to seem" - Official Motto of the State of North Carolina[/blue]

 

[SantaMufasa]

Actually, I believe that the correct quotation is, "Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder."

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[SamBones]

The "Concise Oxford English Dictionary" is listing the most commonly used words overall, regardless of type.

The list of 25 mentioned is limited to nouns.