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Magic79 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
controversy vs. a controversy
con?tro?ver?sy plural controversies [uncountable and countable]
a serious argument about something that involves many people and continues for a long time:
- a political controversy
- the controversy surrounding Skinner's theories
cause/provoke/arouse controversy
- The judges' decision provoked controversy.
controversy over/about
- the controversy over campaign-finance issues
- Controversy arose (=began) over the use of the chemicals on crops.
I am a bit confused about when to say "a" treating the noun as a countable noun and when not!
The RULE That I Know IS:
1. Count nouns can be preceded by "a", "an", or "the". Most count nouns can be made plural by adding plural -s.
2. Noncount nouns can be preceded by no articles or by "the."
Of course this is the general rule as there are some noncount nouns that can be made plural to mean "different kinds of" such as
meat----> meats (different kinds of meat)
people -----> peoples (different nations)
a serious argument about something that involves many people and continues for a long time:
- a political controversy
- the controversy surrounding Skinner's theories
cause/provoke/arouse controversy
- The judges' decision provoked controversy.
controversy over/about
- the controversy over campaign-finance issues
- Controversy arose (=began) over the use of the chemicals on crops.
I am a bit confused about when to say "a" treating the noun as a countable noun and when not!
The RULE That I Know IS:
1. Count nouns can be preceded by "a", "an", or "the". Most count nouns can be made plural by adding plural -s.
2. Noncount nouns can be preceded by no articles or by "the."
Of course this is the general rule as there are some noncount nouns that can be made plural to mean "different kinds of" such as
meat----> meats (different kinds of meat)
people -----> peoples (different nations)
Top answer
Magic79 I am a bit confused about when to say "a" treating the noun as a countable noun and when not! As with any such cases, you must consider the specific context: are you talking about the uncountable condition or quality, or are you talking about a specific, countable instance of such a condition? Often, either form will work.
- Magic79 I am a bit confused about when to say "a" treating the noun as a countable noun and when not!
- As with any such cases, you must consider the specific context: are you talking about the uncountable condition or quality, or are you talking about a specific, countable instance of such a condition?
- Often, either form will work.
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1 Answers
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Magic79I am a bit confused about when to say "a" treating the noun as a countable noun and when not!As with any such cases, you must consider the specific context: are you talking about the uncountable condition or quality, or are you talking about a specific, countable instance of such a condition? Often, either form will work.
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