1. 表示抽象意義的“死”，通常為不可數名詞。如：

Death comes to all men. 人皆有一死。

Capture means certain death. 被俘必死無疑。

Food poisoning can cause death. 食物中毒可導致死亡。

It was the anniversary of his wife’s death. 這是他妻子逝世一周年。

He was threatened with death if he refused. 如果他拒絕，他們就威脅要處死他。

She described to us how she had narrowly escaped death. 她向我們描述了她怎樣九死一生逃了出來。

2. 表示具體的死亡人數等，則為可數名詞。如：

A great many deaths have taken palce here lately. 這里近來死了很多人。

The earthquake has caused fifteen thousand deaths. 地震已造成15000人死亡。

【注】表示某種類型的死，也可用作可數名詞。如：

When we die for the people it is a worthy death. 為人民而死，死得其所。