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Believer Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Context and two other factors
I believe Mr. Micawber used these three words to bring some light to the dilemma of one's trying the understand the concepts behind a possible transformation of uncountable nouns into countable nouns and they are: context, flexibility and semantics.
In section 149 of Michael Swan's Practical Usage, which is headed 'countable & uncountable nouns (2): advanced points, it is noted:
Note these nouns cannot normally used in the plural, and that most uncountable nouns cannot be used with a/an at all, even when they have an adjective. Do you subscribe to this argument (in fact, it it is that, an argument)? My impression after having asked many questions on this forum is that a majority of uncountable nouns can be party to this transformation, that is from uncountable to countable.
My father enjoys very good health.
(Not ...a very good health)
We are having terrible weather.
(Not ...a terrible weather)
OK, but as I was studying the posts in this forum diligently, I came upon some of these nouns that I think according to Gurus. they can do with and without the article 'a or an'.
Can an (and without 'an') artificial language have any vitality?
Can a (and without 'a') written language have any vitality?
He is receiving a (and without 'a') special secondary education.
He is receiving a (and without 'a') secondary education.
a man with a (and without 'a') poors knowledge of French.
Blocking is an (without 'an' without no change of meaning according to CalifJim I think) illegal personal contact that impedes the progress of an opponent.
Are these cases different from the two examples in Swan's Practical English Usage? Mr. Swan seems to have noted them as being the nouns that cannot have 'a' or 'an' because the words 'language', 'education' and 'contact' are different than the words 'health' and 'weather' semantically, contextually and in meaning to adequately support their reasons?? for the use of 'thes' in the sentences they are in?
Sorry again, if I ask too many questions on articles.
In section 149 of Michael Swan's Practical Usage, which is headed 'countable & uncountable nouns (2): advanced points, it is noted:
Note these nouns cannot normally used in the plural, and that most uncountable nouns cannot be used with a/an at all, even when they have an adjective. Do you subscribe to this argument (in fact, it it is that, an argument)? My impression after having asked many questions on this forum is that a majority of uncountable nouns can be party to this transformation, that is from uncountable to countable.
My father enjoys very good health.
(Not ...
We are having terrible weather.
(Not ...
OK, but as I was studying the posts in this forum diligently, I came upon some of these nouns that I think according to Gurus. they can do with and without the article 'a or an'.
Can an (and without 'an') artificial language have any vitality?
Can a (and without 'a') written language have any vitality?
He is receiving a (and without 'a') special secondary education.
He is receiving a (and without 'a') secondary education.
a man with a (and without 'a') poors knowledge of French.
Blocking is an (without 'an' without no change of meaning according to CalifJim I think) illegal personal contact that impedes the progress of an opponent.
Are these cases different from the two examples in Swan's Practical English Usage? Mr. Swan seems to have noted them as being the nouns that cannot have 'a' or 'an' because the words 'language', 'education' and 'contact' are different than the words 'health' and 'weather' semantically, contextually and in meaning to adequately support their reasons?? for the use of 'thes' in the sentences they are in?
Sorry again, if I ask too many questions on articles.
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