a nerd

New2grammarJohn called him [ a ] nerd. Is the article 'a' optional in the sentence?

Thanks in advance

Since nerd is a noun rather than an adjective, I would use the article.

Thanks Philip for your reply.But I have a follow-up question. I wouldn't be asking this question if you said it was optional.

So, here it is

New2grammarThanks Philip for your reply.But I have a follow-up question. I wouldn't be asking this question if you said it was optional.

John called them [nerds/nerd ]

Let me explain with the following sentences.

A(article) tiger is fierce.

Tigers(no articles needed) are fierce.

The(article) tiger i

New2grammarThanks Philip for your reply.But I have a follow-up question. I wouldn't be asking this question if you said it was optional.John called them [nerds/nerd ]

Let me illustrate with the following sentences:

A(article) tiger is a fierce animal.

Tigers(no article required) are fierce animals.

The(artic

Hi,
interesting question N2G.
I think it should be "Are you calling me a liar?" , so you actually use the article.
But what about this?
You see this? In English, we usually call this (an) "elevator".

Would you use that article? I wouldn't, but maybe it's not bad with the article either...

I usually call this an ESL forum.

Yoong Liat, I have no problem with your sentences except one with a mistake, but I don't see the relationship between your examples and mine.

The(article) tiger is a fierce.

This is my understanding:

'John call them nerds' can be rewritten with the subject removed as 'They are nerds'

'John call them nerd' would be incorr

New2grammar
Yoong Liat, I have no problem with your sentences except one with a mistake, but I don't see the relationship between your examples and mine.

The(article) tiger is a fierce.

Thanks. It was a careless mistake.

I don't understand why you can't relate your sentence to my sentences.