Deer, Damage

 Of Deer and Damage

What do deer and damage have in common, apart from nibbled tulips in the Spring?

Neither has a plural, at least among educated folks (except for one rate lawyerly example).

A hurricane does damage, but it does not "do" damages, even if it hits multiple locations.

The difference between “damage” and “damages”

The technical name is " Uncountable Nouns".

https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/english-grammar/countable-and-uncountable-nouns/

Some examples of uncountable nouns are:

news 

traffic

weather

flour

luggage

safety

Some may come with a definite or indefinite article, or a possessive adjective, others may not.

Then there are the exceptions that prove the rule, such as Baggage, Work, Water, Air.

Take Work/ works.   "Good work" is praise for effort or achievement.  "Good works" are saintly doings, unless they are factories, or earthworks.

https://blog.harwardcommunications.com/2011/02/21/don%e2%80%99t-confuse-%e2%80%9cwork%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cworks%e2%80%9d/

In the case of baggage vs baggages, the singular refers to clutter with which one travels, or encumbrances . The plural is slang for a countable number of naughty women.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/baggage

Some would say that the elements, such as air, and water, and earth, and fire are uncountable, but a haughty person puts on airs. I think the EPA mentions "the waters" of America, and sometimes includes low parts of private property that may flood and retain a temporary pond.

Headwaters are something else... where surface runoff collects to form a stream or river, or where several brooks come together.

All the best,

Rowena Cherry