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Hus Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
On using the letter "a" before another word
On using the letter "a" before another word
Hi, In writing long english texts I frequently encounter a minor but bothering hesitation on using the letter "a" before another word. Examples: There is mild infection/There is a mild infection He has serious problem/He has a serious problem There is natural disaster/There is a natural disaster The incident became chronicle/The incident became a chronicle My question: is there any grammatrical rule that settles this issue? Thanks | ||
Top answer
Hello, Hus - and welcome to English Forums. - - With noncount nouns (your first sentence), you omit the article unless reclassification occurs ('a mild infection'). In the other cases, they are all countable nouns and require the article.
- Hello, Hus - and welcome to English Forums.
- - - With noncount nouns (your first sentence), you omit the article unless reclassification occurs ('a mild infection').
- In the other cases, they are all countable nouns and require the article.
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4 Answers
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Hello, Hus - and welcome to English Forums.
These are correct:
There is mild infection/There is a mild infection
He has a serious problem
There is a natural disaster
The incident became a chronicle
My question: is there any grammatrical rule that settles this issue?-- With noncount
These are correct:
There is mild infection/There is a mild infection
He has a serious problem
There is a natural disaster
The incident became a chronicle
My question: is there any grammatrical rule that settles this issue?-- With noncount
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Hi,
Have you studied countable and uncountable nouns?
Some nouns can be both, depending on the writer's meaning.
Have you studied countable and uncountable nouns?
Some nouns can be both, depending on the writer's meaning.
Hi, In writing long english texts I frequently | ||
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Thanks a lot Clive,
The link you provided, particularly the paragraph on "Adjectives with countable and uncountable nouns", is quite useful and informative. It strikes me that while I am always aware for the case of countable and uncountable nouns I missed the rule that also applies for their adjectives.
The link you provided, particularly the paragraph on "Adjectives with countable and uncountable nouns", is quite useful and informative. It strikes me that while I am always aware for the case of countable and uncountable nouns I missed the rule that also applies for their adjectives.
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Thank you Mr Micawber for your reply. Yours, together with that of Clive and particularly the attached link, has resolved the issue nicely and neatly.
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