Some singular nouns don't take indefinite article?

Question

"He gave me good advice"Instead of"He gave me a good advice" ?Is there any explanations on why you can't apply indefinite article on some singular nouns?Thank you

Philip · Accepted Answer

The indefinnite article and numbers are not used with non-countable nouns, such as advice.

Cool Breeze · Answer

PhilipThe indefinnite article and numbers are not used with non-countable nouns, such as advice.

So, he has a good knowledge of English is wrong?[:^)]

CB

Philip · Answer

CB, you always are very good at finding the proverbial "exception which proves the rule".

Actually, the answer probably should have excluded "the indefinite article", because it is often used. The question, then, is when is it and when isn't it.

Anonymous · Answer

Could it be that the use of the indefinite article with non-countable nouns is poetic? We can talk about "a greater love" or "a greater mischief" with poetic license or because poetic license has made the expression common.

Some singular nouns don't take indefinite article?

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