>If we apply Mike's rule we'll see that "progress" is an
uncountable noun, as
>should be "lack", and, therefore, it should be "lack of
progress MEAN they are
>not..." So the rule is not working.

No, it would be lack and means.  I may be using "singular" and
"uncountable" interchangably (and incorrectly!), but I would use MEANS in
your example also.

Mike

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 þ SLMR 2.1a þ True Multitasking = 3 PCs and a chair with wheels!