Condition: Common or Non-Count Noun? | Grammar Guide

"Condition" is a count noun when referring to a specific medical state, circumstance, or requirement. It is a non-count (mass) noun when referring to the general state or quality of something.

Count Noun Uses (Pluralizable: conditions)

• Medical: "He has a heart condition." / "Several skin conditions."
• Circumstantial: "Under these conditions, we cannot proceed."
• Requirement: "One condition of the contract is..." / "Terms and conditions."
• Experimental: "Test and control conditions."

Non-Count Noun Uses (Not pluralized)

• General state: "The car is in good condition." (Not *conditions)
• Physical fitness: "He's in top condition."
• Abstract quality: "The condition of the roads worsened."

How to Test

1. Can you say "a condition" or "two conditions"? → Count.
2. Can you say "much condition" (not "many")? → Non-count.
3. Does it refer to a specific instance vs. general state?

Common Errors

• ❌ "The patient has many conditions." (OK if distinct diagnoses)
• ❌ "In good conditions." (Should be singular non-count)
• ✅ "The experiment tested three conditions." (Count)
• ✅ "Mint condition." (Non-count)

Context determines countability. Most nouns in English have both uses.