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Difference between revisions of "Contestant Guidelines"

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These guidelines are the notes published by the ''[[Countdown]]'' producers. The first notes outline the general rules that [[Dictionary Corner]] use when deciding whether a noun can have a plural.
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__NOTOC__
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The current '''contestant guidelines''' for ''[[Countdown]]'' as of May 2024 read as follows:
  
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== General noun rules ==
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<blockquote style="border:1px solid #AAA; padding:.5em">
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Nouns in [[Oxford Dictionaries Online|Oxford Dictionaries Premium]] may be labelled as '''[MASS NOUN]'''; in some entries, a countable noun instance may be given, accompanied by a [COUNT NOUN] label followed by an example sentence.
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''Countdown'' use ''[[Oxford Dictionaries Premium]]'' (''ODP''), which can be found at https://premium.oxforddictionaries.com/english/
  
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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}}.
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We do not accept American spellings of words on the show, but we accept American words, such as {{word|SNEAKER}} and {{word|ZUCCHINI}}, but we will not allow {{word|labor {{x}}}}, {{word|favor {{x}}}} and {{word|cigaret {{x}}}} etc.
  
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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.
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==Rules for deciding plurals of nouns==
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These notes outline the general rules that the judges in [[Dictionary Corner]] use when deciding whether a noun can have a plural.
  
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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.
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Nouns and senses of nouns may be labelled in the dictionary as being either [MASS NOUN] or [COUNT NOUN].
  
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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.
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If an entry for a noun has no label, it indicates that the noun is an ordinary countable noun, and a plural is allowed: for example, {{word|TABLE – TABLES}}, {{word|BOY – BOYS}}, {{word|BOOK – BOOKS}}, {{word|LASS – LASSES}}, and so on.
  
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== Pluralisable mass noun categories ==
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If an entry for a noun has the label [MASS NOUN] it means that the word is not usually or typically used in the plural, for example {{word|SANIDINE}}. In this case the plural would not be allowed.
  
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=== Types or varieties ===
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The label [COUNT NOUN] means the word can be pluralized.
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* Food e.g. {{word|YOGHURT}} - {{word|YOGHURTS}}, {{word|PASTA}} - {{word|PASTAS}}
 
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* Drink e.g. {{word|RUM}} - {{word|RUMS}}, {{word|LAGER}} - {{word|LAGERS}}
 
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* Plants e.g. {{word|CLOVER}} - {{word|CLOVERS}}, {{word|BARLEY}} - {{word|BARLEYS}}
 
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* Certain languages or subjects e.g. {{word|SCIENCE}} - {{word|SCIENCES}}
 
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* Metals and alloys e.g. {{word|STEEL}} - {{word|STEELS}}, {{word|SOLDER}} - {{word|SOLDERS}}
 
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* Rocks e.g. {{word|GRANITE}} - {{word|LAVA}} - {{word|LAVAS}}, {{word|CLAY}} - {{word|CLAYS}}
 
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* Chemical compounds e.g. {{word|FLUORIDE}} - {{word|FLUORIDES}}, {{word|HYDRIDE}} - {{word|HYDRIDES}}
 
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* Some substances or materials e.g. {{word|RIND}} - {{word|RINDS}}, {{word|SOIL}} - {{word|SOILS}}, {{word|SEALSKIN}} - {{word|SEALSKINS}}, {{word|SUNCREAM}} - {{word|SUNCREAMS}}
 
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* An area of land of a specified type e.g. {{word|TERRAIN}} - {{word|TERRAINS}}
 
  
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=== Portions or units of something ===
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==Other areas of adjudication==
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* Food e.g. {{word|PAELLA}} (dishes of paella = {{word|PAELLAS}}), {{word|VINDALOO}} (dishes of vindaloo = {{word|VINDALOOS}})
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===1. Allowed===
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* Drink e.g. {{word|LAGER}} (glasses/bottles of lager = {{word|LAGERS}})
 
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=== Special instances ===
 
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* An action or process e.g. {{word|GENOCIDE}} (act of genocide = {{word|GENOCIDES}})
 
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* A surgical operation e.g. {{word|ABLATION}} - {{word|ABLATIONS}}
 
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* An emotion, pain or feeling e.g. {{word|BACKACHE}} - {{word|BACKACHES}}, {{word|GRIEF}} (an instance or cause of grief = {{word|GRIEFS}})
 
  
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== Other areas of adjudication ==
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Logical inflections: e.g. {{word|KNIGHTED}}, {{word|SCALDED}}, are fine.
  
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These notes outline other rules to do with the adjudication of words.
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Special care should be taken when pluralizing words ending in:
  
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=== Allowed ===
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I. {{word|–AGE}}
  
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Logical inflections e.g. {{word|KNIGHTED}}, {{word|SCALDED}} are fine.
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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.
  
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* –{{word|AGE}}
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II. {{word|–ING}}
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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}}).
 
  
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* –{{word|ING}}
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The plural of a word ending in {{word|–ING}} will not be allowed unless it is entered in the dictionary in a pluralized form, e.g. {{word|ENDINGS}} is fine but {{word|bakings {{x}}}} would be disallowed.
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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.
 
  
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* Accented words are allowed, e.g. {{word|FIANCÉ}}.
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III. Accented words are allowed, e.g. {{word|FIANCÉ}}.
  
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=== Disallowed ===
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===2. Not allowed===
  
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* –{{word|ER}} agent nouns not in ODO, e.g. {{word|CURER}} is fine but {{word|GUESTER}} is not.
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(a) {{word|–ER}} agent nouns. For example, {{word|CURER}} is fine but {{word|guester {{x}}}} is not.
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* –{{word|ILY}} words not in ODO, e.g. {{word|STUBBILY}} is fine but {{word|MANKILY}} is not.
 
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* –{{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.
 
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* {{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.
 
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* {{word|BE}}- words not in ODO, e.g. {{word|BESTREW}} is fine but {{word|BESCATTER}} is not.
 
  
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== [[Conundrums]] ==
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(b) {{word|–ILY}} words not listed. For example, {{word|STUBBILY}} is fine but {{word|mankily {{x}}}} is not.
  
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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!)
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(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.
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(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.
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(e) {{word|–BE}} words not listed. For example, {{word|BESTREW}} is fine but {{word|bescatter {{x}}}} is not.
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(f) {{word|–ISH}} words not listed. For example, {{word|YELLOWISH}} is fine but {{word|maroonish {{x}}}} not.
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(g) Hyphenated words are not allowed.
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(h) Words in italics are not allowed.
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(I) Words beginning with capital letters are not allowed.
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(j) Words with an apostrophe in place of a letter. For example, {{word|whensoe'er {{x}}}}, are not allowed.
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(k) Words which only appear in combinations. For example, {{word|mistle {{x}}}} (mistle thrush) and {{word|quo {{x}}}} (status quo) are not allowed.
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(l) American spellings such as {{word|color {{x}}}}, {{word|favor {{x}}}}, {{word|cigaret {{x}}}} etc.
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==Adjectives==
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Also, please be aware that comparatives of adjectives can also be risky. Words like {{word|GREEDY}} do have specified next to them their logical comparative ({{word|GREEDIER, GREEDIEST}}). Unless the comparatives are specified, they will not be valid and no points will be awarded.
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The rule of thumb for ''Countdown'' is that comparatives of all two-syllable adjectives must be specified in the dictionary or they will not be allowed on the show. You’ll get used to what is acceptable and what isn't over a period of time – but in general, if it’s not listed in the dictionary, it is not allowed – with ONE exception – and this is for one-syllable adjectives like {{word|DARK, COLD, BLEAK}}. The dictionary doesn’t list {{word|DARKER}} and {{word|DARKEST}}, {{word|COLDER}} and {{word|COLDEST}} etc, as we have a general rule that all one-syllable adjectives can be extended in this way, and they are pretty obvious anyway, so there's no need to take up website space.
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==Verbs==
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Also all verbs can be extended with {{word|–ING}}, so if someone offers an {{word|–ING}} word and it is listed as a verb, it will be accepted, even though the full word is not printed in its entirety – so things like {{word|FLUNK}} might be listed as a verb, so it is acceptable to allow {{word|FLUNKED}} and {{word|FLUNKING}}.
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==[[Conundrum]]s==
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The conundrum will never end in {{word|S}} to make a plural of a singular word, so words like {{word|BUNGALOWS}} will not be used. Some CAN end in {{word|S}}, but they will not be plurals, ie {{word|DIAGNOSIS, HEARTLESS}} etc. 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, this won’t be the actual answer – ie – if the conundrum is revealed as {{word|GERANIUMS}}, then the answer will not be {{word|GERANIUMS}}. In this case, it would be {{word|MEASURING}}.
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</blockquote>
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==External Links==
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*[https://www.apterous.org/ticket_view.php?ticket=6918#p98696 Source]
  
 
[[Category:Study aids]]
 
[[Category:Study aids]]
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[[Category:Techniques]]
 

Latest revision as of 02:32, 16 September 2024

The current contestant guidelines for Countdown as of May 2024 read as follows:

Countdown use Oxford Dictionaries Premium (ODP), which can be found at https://premium.oxforddictionaries.com/english/

We do not accept American spellings of words on the show, but we accept American words, such as SNEAKER and ZUCCHINI, but we will not allow labor ☓, favor ☓ and cigaret ☓ etc.

Rules for deciding plurals of nouns

These notes outline the general rules that the judges in Dictionary Corner use when deciding whether a noun can have a plural.

Nouns and senses of nouns may be labelled in the dictionary as being either [MASS NOUN] or [COUNT NOUN].

If an entry for a noun has no label, it indicates that the noun is an ordinary countable noun, and a plural is allowed: for example, TABLE – TABLES, BOY – BOYS, BOOK – BOOKS, LASS – LASSES, and so on.

If an entry for a noun has the label [MASS NOUN] it means that the word is not usually or typically used in the plural, for example SANIDINE. In this case the plural would not be allowed.

The label [COUNT NOUN] means the word can be pluralized.

Other areas of adjudication

1. Allowed

Logical inflections: e.g. KNIGHTED, SCALDED, are fine.

Special care should be taken when pluralizing words ending in:

I. –AGE

Words in this category denoting an action (BREAKAGE), the product of an action (DOSAGE) or a place of abode (ORPHANAGE) may be pluralized. Many others do not have a logical plural sense.

II. –ING

The plural of a word ending in –ING will not be allowed unless it is entered in the dictionary in a pluralized form, e.g. ENDINGS is fine but bakings ☓ would be disallowed.

III. Accented words are allowed, e.g. FIANCÉ.

2. Not allowed

(a) –ER agent nouns. For example, CURER is fine but guester ☓ is not.

(b) –ILY words not listed. For example, STUBBILY is fine but mankily ☓ is not.

(c) –LESS and –NESS words not listed. For example, EARLESS is fine but beefless ☓ is not, REDNESS is fine but beigeness ☓ is not.

(d) –UN words and RE– words not listed. For example, UNSAY is fine but unscrape ☓ is not, REWORD is fine but recrack ☓ is not.

(e) –BE words not listed. For example, BESTREW is fine but bescatter ☓ is not.

(f) –ISH words not listed. For example, YELLOWISH is fine but maroonish ☓ not.

(g) Hyphenated words are not allowed.

(h) Words in italics are not allowed.

(I) Words beginning with capital letters are not allowed.

(j) Words with an apostrophe in place of a letter. For example, whensoe'er ☓, are not allowed.

(k) Words which only appear in combinations. For example, mistle ☓ (mistle thrush) and quo ☓ (status quo) are not allowed.

(l) American spellings such as color ☓, favor ☓, cigaret ☓ etc.

Adjectives

Also, please be aware that comparatives of adjectives can also be risky. Words like GREEDY do have specified next to them their logical comparative (GREEDIER, GREEDIEST). Unless the comparatives are specified, they will not be valid and no points will be awarded.

The rule of thumb for Countdown is that comparatives of all two-syllable adjectives must be specified in the dictionary or they will not be allowed on the show. You’ll get used to what is acceptable and what isn't over a period of time – but in general, if it’s not listed in the dictionary, it is not allowed – with ONE exception – and this is for one-syllable adjectives like DARK, COLD, BLEAK. The dictionary doesn’t list DARKER and DARKEST, COLDER and COLDEST etc, as we have a general rule that all one-syllable adjectives can be extended in this way, and they are pretty obvious anyway, so there's no need to take up website space.

Verbs

Also all verbs can be extended with –ING, so if someone offers an –ING word and it is listed as a verb, it will be accepted, even though the full word is not printed in its entirety – so things like FLUNK might be listed as a verb, so it is acceptable to allow FLUNKED and FLUNKING.

Conundrums

The conundrum will never end in S to make a plural of a singular word, so words like BUNGALOWS will not be used. Some CAN end in S, but they will not be plurals, ie DIAGNOSIS, HEARTLESS etc. 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, this won’t be the actual answer – ie – if the conundrum is revealed as GERANIUMS, then the answer will not be GERANIUMS. In this case, it would be MEASURING.

External Links

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