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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Long question on nouns and adjectives
Hi. Please help. Does the word "sin" without the indefinite article "a" mean the nature of sin in a human being? Or could it be using the word generally without dealing with its nature? Let me try to clarify what I am trying to say. I think we can use the word "discussion" to mean generally what the word means. I don't think we have what can be called a "discussion-nature." When we use the word "discussion" without the indefinite article "a,"I think we refer to it generally. I hope you will understand what I am trying to ask.
Also, I am sorry to add this question on, could we have the phrase "sin-nature" to refer to the nature of sin? If yes, could you tell me why it is necessary to have a hyphen between the words "sin" and "nature" (if it is the case)? I have the same question as to why a hyphen is necessary for the phase "Christ-believers." Is the hyphen needed for it, too? I think we use adjectives to modify nouns and they usually tell what kind they (the nouns) are, as it "hot, sunny day," with the adjectives "hot" and "sunny" indicating what kind of day it is. But in the case of "sin-nature" and "Christ-believers," I think the words "sin" and "Christ" (in those phrases) do not indicate what kind of nature or believers they are respectively, but are actually part of the phrases, and without them the phrases "sin-nature" and "Christ-believers" would not mean what they mean. I hope what I wrote reflects what I wanted to say, but I am not sure, though. Anyway, any help from you teachers would be appreciated.
Also, I am sorry to add this question on, could we have the phrase "sin-nature" to refer to the nature of sin? If yes, could you tell me why it is necessary to have a hyphen between the words "sin" and "nature" (if it is the case)? I have the same question as to why a hyphen is necessary for the phase "Christ-believers." Is the hyphen needed for it, too? I think we use adjectives to modify nouns and they usually tell what kind they (the nouns) are, as it "hot, sunny day," with the adjectives "hot" and "sunny" indicating what kind of day it is. But in the case of "sin-nature" and "Christ-believers," I think the words "sin" and "Christ" (in those phrases) do not indicate what kind of nature or believers they are respectively, but are actually part of the phrases, and without them the phrases "sin-nature" and "Christ-believers" would not mean what they mean. I hope what I wrote reflects what I wanted to say, but I am not sure, though. Anyway, any help from you teachers would be appreciated.
Top answer
When you refer to the use of words "without the indefinite article", are you actually referring to the countable / uncountable distinction? This is not necessarily the same thing as using / not using the indefinite article. Although it is true that the indefinite article is not used with uncountable nouns, it is not necessarily used with countable nouns either.
- When you refer to the use of words "without the indefinite article", are you actually referring to the countable / uncountable distinction?
- This is not necessarily the same thing as using / not using the indefinite article.
- Although it is true that the indefinite article is not used with uncountable nouns, it is not necessarily used with countable nouns either.
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2 Answers
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When you refer to the use of words "without the indefinite article", are you actually referring to the countable / uncountable distinction? This is not necessarily the same thing as using / not using the indefinite article. Although it is true that the indefinite article is not used with uncountable nouns, it is not necessarily used with countable nouns either.
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I can only give a specific example:
Catholics believe that Mary was born without sin.
As I understand it, Christians (use this word instead of Christ-believers) believe in the concept of original sin. All the descendants of the first man and woman inherited the consequences of their specific sin, that is, the eating of forbidden fruit. Mary was the exception, born without this.
Catholics believe that Mary was born without sin.
As I understand it, Christians (use this word instead of Christ-believers) believe in the concept of original sin. All the descendants of the first man and woman inherited the consequences of their specific sin, that is, the eating of forbidden fruit. Mary was the exception, born without this.
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