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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

not-so-definite question

What is the guideline in regard to the use of an indefinite article before an countable noun, like this?

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first ot last, ...
  

Top answer

I'd put it this way: 1. «A righteousness from ***» It equals to «A righteousness that comes from ***» Now, it's in direct analogy to, for example, «A book that is interesting», which in turn semantically equals «An interesting book». Of course, indefinite article here, because we want to refer to an object (righteousness, book) from a multitude (all righteousnesses, all books) with certain properies (thigns coming from ***, interesting things).

— Ant_222

  • I'd put it this way: 1.
  • «A righteousness from ***» It equals to «A righteousness that comes from ***» Now, it's in direct analogy to, for example, «A book that is interesting», which in turn semantically equals «An interesting book».
  • Of course, indefinite article here, because we want to refer to an object (righteousness, book) from a multitude (all righteousnesses, all books) with certain properies (thigns coming from ***, interesting things).
  • 2.
  • » See above.
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5 Answers
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I'd put it this way:

1. «A righteousness from ***»
It equals to «A righteousness that comes from ***»

Now, it's in direct analogy to, for example, «A book that is interesting», which in turn semantically equals «An interesting book». Of course, indefinite article here, because we want to refer to an object (righteousness, book) from a multitude (all righteousnesses, all book
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Although grammar books say the indefinite article should not be used with uncountable nouns, there are many instances in which it is. In your sentence it is the phrase from *** and the relative clause that is by faith... that introduces the article. The writer refers to a special kind of righteousness, a specific aspect of righteousness and that's why an indefinite article
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guideline in regard to the use of an indefinite article before an countable noun
righteousness is not countable!

a here is not any different from a with other uncountable nouns. In other words, the same guidelines apply.
Whether the noun is concrete or abstract does not necessarily make any difference.

a wine
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CalifJimrighteousness is not countable!
Yes.
If unsure, I suggest the poster to verify that on the Cambridge online dictionaries.

They indicate it with an U. Not all dictionaries show that.
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Thank you.

CalifJim's emphasis acknowledged. I was writing it without due attention and spelled it wrong.

It should be an uncountable.
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