Paradox(-es)

[Tamara]

Hi

I am always not quite sure about normal use in plural of such (abstract) nouns. (Albeit I know that paradoxes is correct).

Can you say (for example) which headings sounds to you better:

Life is full of paradoxes
or just
Life is paradoxical.
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

I have no problem with paradoxes whatsoever.

Amy

[Tamara]

Thank you, Amy.

(Does it mean that your life is so full of paradoxes that you got used to having them
in plu... in plenty?... )
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

Ha ha. The paradoxes in my life are countable (not quite innumerable ) but I haven't necessarily gotten used to them all.

Amy

[Tamara]

Amy, the true reason for my question was that at least two natives, when asked, didn’t know whether the plural form for the noun exists.
And I had to check dictionaries.
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

Actually, that's not so unusual. I've often found it to be the case that when you ask a native speaker a very specific question about language, they're sometimes unable to answer. You're requiring thought and analysis when you pose such a question. And the language of a native speaker is done unthinkingly --- mainly "feeling".

Amy