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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

a woman of an unusual beauty; [-] decent accommodation

0Hi there,02br
00 Some nouns in English, uncountable under normal circumstances, take the indefinite article when qualified by the adjective or adverbial phrase. How do I tell if a noun should take the indefinite article or not?02br
02br
00Examples:02br
00 When I got back home, I took 01b00a short nap 02b00to make up for the previous night. 02br
00At the party, I met Sarah -- a woman of 01b00an unusual beauty02b00. 02br
00Well, at least we had 01b00decent accommodation.02b02br
00It is alleged we have f01b00alse information02b00 on the fugitive.02br
00I had 01b00a good sleep02b00 before I set out. . 02br
00When he was in Rome, he developed 01b00a deep distrust02b00 in people. 02br
02br
00You guys ha ve 01b00a better knowledge02b00 of the English grammar, so I guess you can help me. 02br
02br
00Best Regards,02br
00Pawel 0-
  

Top answer

02br 01i 00The phenomenon is called 01b 00secondary recategorization02b 00. Here, it occurs when the non-count noun takes on a meaning of variety, example, etc. However, it is not a usual phenomenon-- it occurs primarily when the writer is envisioning several sorts of 'wine' or whatever.

  • 02br 01i 00The phenomenon is called 01b 00secondary recategorization02b 00.
  • Here, it occurs when the non-count noun takes on a meaning of variety, example, etc.
  • However, it is not a usual phenomenon-- it occurs primarily when the writer is envisioning several sorts of 'wine' or whatever.
  • I don't think there is any rule to rely on, and I don't think a list of amenable nouns could be constructed.
  • In the cases you present, these seem good to me:02br 02br 02i 02br 00When I got back home, I took 01b 00a short nap 02b 00to make up for the previous night.
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1 Answers
0
0 .02br
01i00The phenomenon is called 01b00secondary recategorization02b00. Here, it occurs when the non-count noun takes on a meaning of variety, example, etc. However, it is not a usual phenomenon-- it occurs primarily when the writer is envisioning several sorts of 'wine' or whatever. I don't think there is any rule to rely on, and I don't think a

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