Contestant Guidelines - Revision history

Dicto at 23:37, 8 January 2026

2026-01-08T23:37:34Z

TobyMcDonald at 02:32, 16 September 2024

2024-09-16T02:32:59Z

Show changes

Mclarenguy22: /* Disallowed */

2022-07-17T21:29:40Z

‎Disallowed

Mclarenguy22: /* General noun rules */

2022-07-17T21:27:50Z

‎General noun rules

Mclarenguy22: /* Types or varieties */

2021-07-16T08:41:03Z

‎Types or varieties

TobyMcDonald at 23:43, 10 July 2021

2021-07-10T23:43:25Z

Mclarenguy22: /* Allowed */

2021-02-06T23:36:55Z

‎Allowed

Mclarenguy22: /* Special instances */ lambings invalid on apto

2020-12-09T13:32:59Z

‎Special instances: lambings invalid on apto

The Doctor: /* Conundrums */

2020-11-10T14:49:53Z

‎Conundrums

Mclarenguy22: /* Types or varieties */ Fabric plurals no longer allowed

2020-08-27T17:56:32Z

‎Types or varieties: Fabric plurals no longer allowed

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 (c) {{word|–LESS}} and {{word|–NESS}} words not listed. For example, {{word|EARLESS}} is fine but {{word|beefless {{x}}}} is not, {{word|REDNESS}} is fine but {{word|beigeness {{x}}}} is not.
-(d) {{word|–UN}} words and {{word|RE–}} words not listed. For example, {{word|UNSAY}} is fine but {{word|unscrape {{x}}}} is not, {{word|REWORD}} is fine but {{word|recrack {{x}}}} is not.
+(d) {{word|UN–}} words and {{word|RE–}} words not listed. For example, {{word|UNSAY}} is fine but {{word|unscrape {{x}}}} is not, {{word|REWORD}} is fine but {{word|recrack {{x}}}} is not.
-(e) {{word|–BE}} words not listed. For example, {{word|BESTREW}} is fine but {{word|bescatter {{x}}}} is not.
+(e) {{word|BE–}} words not listed. For example, {{word|BESTREW}} is fine but {{word|bescatter {{x}}}} is not.
 (f) {{word|–ISH}} words not listed. For example, {{word|YELLOWISH}} is fine but {{word|maroonish {{x}}}} not.

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 === Disallowed ===
-* –{{word|ER}} agent nouns not in ODE3, e.g. {{word|CURER}} is fine but {{word|GUESTER}} is not.
+* –{{word|ER}} agent nouns not in ODO, e.g. {{word|CURER}} is fine but {{word|GUESTER}} is not.
-* –{{word|ILY}} words not in ODE3, e.g. {{word|STUBBILY}} is fine but {{word|MANKILY}} is not.
+* –{{word|ILY}} words not in ODO, e.g. {{word|STUBBILY}} is fine but {{word|MANKILY}} is not.
-* –{{word|LESS}} and –{{word|NESS}} words not in ODE3, e.g. {{word|EARLESS}} is fine but {{word|BOATLESS}} is not; {{word|REDNESS}} is fine but {{word|BEIGENESS}} is not.
+* –{{word|LESS}} and –{{word|NESS}} words not in ODO, e.g. {{word|EARLESS}} is fine but {{word|BOATLESS}} is not; {{word|REDNESS}} is fine but {{word|BEIGENESS}} is not.
-* {{word|UN}}- and {{word|RE}}- words not in ODE, e.g. {{word|UNSAY}} is fine but {{word|UNSCRAPE}} is not, {{word|REWORD}} is fine but {{word|REWATCH}} is not.
+* {{word|UN}}- and {{word|RE}}- words not in ODO, e.g. {{word|UNSAY}} is fine but {{word|UNSCRAPE}} is not, {{word|REWORD}} is fine but {{word|REWATCH}} is not.
-* {{word|BE}}- words not in ODE, e.g. {{word|BESTREW}} is fine but {{word|BESCATTER}} is not.
+* {{word|BE}}- words not in ODO, e.g. {{word|BESTREW}} is fine but {{word|BESCATTER}} is not.
 == [[Conundrums]] ==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 == General noun rules ==
-Nouns and senses of nouns may be labelled in [[Oxford Dictionary of English|the dictionary]] as being either <nowiki>[MASS NOUN]</nowiki> or <nowiki>[COUNT NOUN]</nowiki>.
+If an entry for a noun has no label, it indicates that the noun is an ordinarily countable noun and so a plural is allowed: for example {{word|TABLE}} - {{word|TABLES}}, {{word|BOY}} - {{word|BOYS}}, {{word|LASS}} - {{word|LASSES}} etc. Plurals of nouns labelled '''[IN SINGULAR]''' are also allowed: for example {{word|NADIR}} – {{word|NADIRS}}.
-If an entry for a noun has no label, it indicates that the noun is an ordinarily countable noun and so a plural is allowed: for example {{word|TABLE}} - {{word|TABLES}}, {{word|BOY}} - {{word|BOYS}}, {{word|LASS}} - {{word|LASSES}} etc.
+If an entry for a noun has the label '''[MASS NOUN]''', it means that the word is not normally or typically used in the plural: for example {{word|VIOLENCE}} or {{word|MOHAIR}}. In these cases, the plurals {{word|violences {{x}}}} or {{word|mohairs {{x}}}} are not allowed.
-If an entry for a noun has the label <nowiki>[MASS NOUN]</nowiki> it means that the word is not normally or typically used in the plural, for example {{word|VIOLENCE}} or {{word|WEALTH}}.  In these cases the plurals {{word|VIOLENCES}} or {{word|WEALTHS}} are not allowed.
+However, some entries with the '''[MASS NOUN]''' label do also give a [COUNT NOUN] sense, which provides a use of which the plural can be used under a specific context: for example {{word|GENOCIDE}} can be a mass noun or a count noun (‘news of genocides went unreported’), so {{word|GENOCIDES}} is valid.
-However, there are particular types of mass nouns that can take a plural under certain circumstances - for instance when referring to different types of something such as food (e.g. the noun {{word|CHEESE}} is normally uncountable, but it is possible to talk about a wide selection of {{word|CHEESES}}).Because these types of nouns follow regular rules for forming plurals in particular contexts, the dictionary does not generally indicate that a plural may be allowed.  The main types are listed below.  Where a noun falls into one of these categories, it means that a plural is usually allowed, though each individual case will be judged on its merits.
+There are particular types of mass nouns that can take a plural under plausible circumstances, even when a count noun sense isn't explicitly given: for instance, when referring to different types of something such as food. The noun {{word|WHEAT}}, for example, is normally uncountable, but it is possible to talk about a wide selection of {{word|WHEATS}}. Because these types of nouns follow regular rules for forming plurals in particular contexts, the dictionary does not generally indicate that a plural may be allowed. The main types are listed below. Where a noun falls into one of these categories, it means that a plural is usually allowed, though each individual case will be judged on its merits.
 == Pluralisable mass noun categories ==

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 * Drink e.g. {{word|RUM}} - {{word|RUMS}}, {{word|LAGER}} - {{word|LAGERS}}
 * Plants e.g. {{word|CLOVER}} - {{word|CLOVERS}}, {{word|BARLEY}} - {{word|BARLEYS}}
-* Certain languages or subjects e.g. {{word|MUSIC}} - {{word|MUSICS}}
+* Certain languages or subjects e.g. {{word|SCIENCE}} - {{word|SCIENCES}}
 * Metals and alloys e.g. {{word|STEEL}} - {{word|STEELS}}, {{word|SOLDER}} - {{word|SOLDERS}}
-* Rocks e.g. {{word|GRANITE}} - {{word|GRANITES}}, {{word|LAVA}} - {{word|LAVAS}}, {{word|CLAY}} - {{word|CLAYS}}
+* Rocks e.g. {{word|GRANITE}} - {{word|LAVA}} - {{word|LAVAS}}, {{word|CLAY}} - {{word|CLAYS}}
 * Chemical compounds e.g. {{word|FLUORIDE}} - {{word|FLUORIDES}}, {{word|HYDRIDE}} - {{word|HYDRIDES}}
 * Some substances or materials e.g. {{word|RIND}} - {{word|RINDS}}, {{word|SOIL}} - {{word|SOILS}}, {{word|SEALSKIN}} - {{word|SEALSKINS}}, {{word|SUNCREAM}} - {{word|SUNCREAMS}}
-* An area of land of a specified type e.g. {{word|BOGLAND}} - {{word|BOGLANDS}}, {{word|TERRAIN}} - {{word|TERRAINS}}
+* An area of land of a specified type e.g. {{word|TERRAIN}} - {{word|TERRAINS}}
 === Portions or units of something ===

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 == [[Conundrums]] ==
-The conundrum will not end in {{word|S}} to make a plural of a singular word in regular Countdown (though it can do in ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]''). Whatever comes out in the mixed-up version will never be the answer (so if the conundrum spells out a word when it is first revealed, for example on [[Episode 1332|8 January 1993]], this won’t be the actual answer!)
+The conundrum will not end in {{word|S}} to make a plural of a singular word in regular Countdown (though it can do in ''[[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]''). Whatever the scramble is, it will never be the answer (so if the conundrum spells out a word when it is first revealed, for example on [[Episode 1332|8 January 1993]], this won’t be the actual answer!)
 [[Category:Study aids]]
 [[Category:Techniques]]

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 * –{{word|AGE}}
-Words in this category denoting an action ({{word|BREAKAGE}}), the product of an action ({{word|DOSAGE}}) or a place of abode ({{word|ORPHANAGE}}) may be pluralized.  Many others do not have a logical plural sense ({{word|PARENTAGE}}).
+Words in this category denoting an action ({{word|BREAKAGE}}), the product of an action ({{word|DOSAGE}}) or a place of abode ({{word|ORPHANAGE}}) may be pluralized. Many others do not have a logical plural sense ({{word|PARENTAGE}}).
 * –{{word|ING}}
-The plural of a word ending in –{{word|ING}} will not be allowed unless it is entered in the ODE3 in pluralized form, e.g. {{word|ENDINGS}} is fine but {{word|BAKINGS}} would be disallowed.
+The plural of a word ending in –{{word|ING}} will not be allowed unless it is entered in ODO in pluralized form or as a count noun, e.g. {{word|ENDINGS}} is fine but {{word|BAKINGS}} would be disallowed.
 * Accented words are allowed, e.g. {{word|FIANCÉ}}.

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 * Drink e.g. {{word|LAGER}} (glasses/bottles of lager = {{word|LAGERS}})
 === Special instances ===
-* An action or process e.g. {{word|GENOCIDE}} (act of genocide = {{word|GENOCIDES}}), {{word|LAMBING}} (an act of lambing = {{word|LAMBINGS}})
+* An action or process e.g. {{word|GENOCIDE}} (act of genocide = {{word|GENOCIDES}})
 * A surgical operation e.g. {{word|ABLATION}} - {{word|ABLATIONS}}
 * An emotion, pain or feeling e.g. {{word|BACKACHE}} - {{word|BACKACHES}}, {{word|GRIEF}} (an instance or cause of grief = {{word|GRIEFS}})