[Grammar] Profit or profits

[mrmvp]

Profit from fuel exports.

Profits from fuel exports.

Profits from exports.


I do not think fuel can be pluralized because it acts as an adjective.

I do not know should I say "profit" or "profits." and why

 

[jutfrank]

You can't use fuel.

You could use profits, if you want to suggest that you are thinking of it as multiple sums as opposed to one singular sum.

You have given us only a noun phrase. Give us a complete sentence to work with. Complete sentences express thoughts. It's much easier for us to give you useful comments when we can refer to the thought of the speaker.

 

[teechar]

I do not think "fuel" can be pluralized because it acts as an adjective.

I do not know whether I should say "profit" or "profits" and why.

Can you give us full sentences and the broader context please?

 

[mrmvp]

1 The profits of fuel exports was 300,000 million in 2000.

2 The profit of fuel exports was 300,000 million in 2000.

3 Profits of fuel exported was 300,000 million in 2000.

I do not know whether to I pluralize export and profit or "export" should be in the past tense.

Thank you:up:

 

[jutfrank]

1) Use from not of.
2) Include the unit of currency.
3) Change 300,000 million to 300 billion.
4) Remove The unless there's a reason to include it.
5) Keep the plural form exports.
6) Use either Profit or Profits depending on whether you want a singular or plural use.
7) Forget about number 3—there's no need to complicate your question.

 

[tedmc]

The figure of 300 billion is a total figure, so the singular "profit" is appropriate.

 

[jutfrank]

The figure of 300 billion is a total figure, so the singular "profit" is appropriate.

Yes, good point. That's a good reason to use the singular.

It might be more appropriate to use the plural with a different verb. For example:

Profits from fuel exports totalled $300 billion.