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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
(A) private property
I understand that the indefinite "a" article is not usually used before "private property", because it is an abstract/uncountable noun.
However, the article is often used regardless, even in written government regulations (e.g. we shall not enter a private property unless..). Is this because, in these cases, the private property is viewed as a "lot" and therefore countable?
In that case, if you are passing by someone's lawn, can you say either "this is private property" or "this is a private property"?
Thank you!
Anon (Sorry that I am anonymous…)
However, the article is often used regardless, even in written government regulations (e.g. we shall not enter a private property unless..). Is this because, in these cases, the private property is viewed as a "lot" and therefore countable?
In that case, if you are passing by someone's lawn, can you say either "this is private property" or "this is a private property"?
Thank you!
Anon (Sorry that I am anonymous…)
Top answer
Anonymous Is this because, in these cases, the private property is viewed as a "lot" and therefore countable? Yes. It is more specialised use of "property" to refer to a building and/or plot of land.
- Anonymous Is this because, in these cases, the private property is viewed as a "lot" and therefore countable?
- Yes.
- It is more specialised use of "property" to refer to a building and/or plot of land.
- Anonymous In that case, if you are passing by someone's lawn, can you say either "this is private property" or "this is a private property"?
- I would say that a lawn can be private property but not (by itself) a private property (since it is only part of a lot).
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3 Answers
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AnonymousIs this because, in these cases, the private property is viewed as a "lot" and therefore countable?Yes. It is more specialised use of "property" to refer to a building and/or plot of land.
AnonymousIn that case, if you are passing by someone's lawn, can you say either "this is private property" or "this is a private prope
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GPY,
Thank you for responding!
So if I were to refer to the entire lot (the lawn, the house, the backyard) as I was passing by, I could say "this is a private property"?
The OP
Thank you for responding!
So if I were to refer to the entire lot (the lawn, the house, the backyard) as I was passing by, I could say "this is a private property"?
The OP
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AnonymousSo if I were to refer to the entire lot (the lawn, the house, the backyard) as I was passing by, I could say "this is a private property"?Yes.
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