Dealing with what comes before a noun

Question

Hi.1. I think the word "status" is an uncountable noun. Why does it have the indefinite article "a" in front of it? He is in a particular status2. Why does it have to be the phrase "a few" in front of the word "dozen"? If it has to be that phrase?There is at least a few dozen.I think we could say/write these:There is a dozen/a half dozen. 3. Is this correct with the phrase "85 percent" (is that a phrase anyway?) in front of noun?He had 85 percent feeling.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI think the word "status" is an uncountable noun.

It can also be countable. a is fine.

AnonymousWhy does it have to be the phrase "a few" in front of the word "dozen"?

It doesn't have to be "a few". However, it's "There are a few dozen". You can also write "There are [a dozen / a half dozen]". Yes.

Anonymous Is this correct with the phrase "85 percent" (is that a phrase anyway?) in front of noun?

85 percent feeling is a little strange (and you can call it a phrase if you want), but it might make sense in context. It's grammatically correct.

CJ

Mister Micawber · Answer

1. Status is also countable– Inflected Form: plural sta·tus·es: a particular state or condition.
2. A few dozen = several dozen = roughly 36-84 items.
3. It sounds odd in your example. I think '85% of' is what is usually called for.

Dealing with what comes before a noun

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