0
Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
the cases of abstract nouns taking "thes"
Hi,
As far as I remember, someone has indicated in his response that an abstract noun does not usually take a determiner like "the" unless the author does it for stylistic reason, but I think even (?) abstract nouns can take on, aside from being stylistic, the determiner "the" under a right context. Can any one give me some examples where they can take on "thes"?
As far as I remember, someone has indicated in his response that an abstract noun does not usually take a determiner like "the" unless the author does it for stylistic reason, but I think even (?) abstract nouns can take on, aside from being stylistic, the determiner "the" under a right context. Can any one give me some examples where they can take on "thes"?
Top answer
Sure. The beauty of the Aphrodite of Melos is exquisite .
- Sure.
- The beauty of the Aphrodite of Melos is exquisite .
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
22 Answers
0
0
Mr. M.
Lately I think I am seeing more of what looks be uncountable nouns followed by what looks to be retrictive clauses and precede by the indefinite article "a." Is that right?
How about this? IS THIS RIGHT?
A beauty of the Princess of Bigman's land is exquisite.
Can an uncountable which is followed by a restrictive clause be modified with the ind
Lately I think I am seeing more of what looks be uncountable nouns followed by what looks to be retrictive clauses and precede by the indefinite article "a." Is that right?
How about this? IS THIS RIGHT?
A beauty of the Princess of Bigman's land is exquisite.
Can an uncountable which is followed by a restrictive clause be modified with the ind
00
Well, your example (A beauty of the Princess of Bigman's land is exquisite) makes no sense to me. Is that your creation, or did you find it somewhere? It contains no restrictive clause.
In any case, I see no problem with constructing a sentence with an indefinitely-articled uncountable noun-- the trouble is, that action automatically turns it into its countable form: A beauty
In any case, I see no problem with constructing a sentence with an indefinitely-articled uncountable noun-- the trouble is, that action automatically turns it into its countable form: A beauty
00
Thank you, Mr. M.
It helped me a lot.
Would you say the underlined part is a restrictive phrase or a modifying phrase. If it is either one, then would you kindly tell me what is the difference between a modifying phrase and a restrictive phrase?
A beauty of the Princess of Bigman's land
The beauty of a woman
Also, if I recal
It helped me a lot.
Would you say the underlined part is a restrictive phrase or a modifying phrase. If it is either one, then would you kindly tell me what is the difference between a modifying phrase and a restrictive phrase?
A beauty of the Princess of Bigman's land
The beauty of a woman
Also, if I recal
00
There is a difference between a clause (the term you used previously) and a phrase ('of the Princess of Bigman's land').
anything we should be aware of when we decide to take that road of turning uncountable nouns into sort of countable nouns?Only be aware that you are creating one of several sorts of the uncountable, I suppose.
00
Before I give you more detailed explanation I have to tell you that in dictionaries you can frequently find the type of the word: countable, uncountable, mass, abstract… However what is more important is to understand that the context is equally important. You can turn many words into abstract if you want to express an idea, quality or experience, and you can as well make from a uncountable word a
00
The most frequent case is that each word has many different meanings. Each meaning can belong to a completely different group of words. A good dictionary gives the classification not by the word, but by each meaning of the word.
Sometimes you have to guess the classification, which is normally not so difficult.
The rules given in many textbooks are based not on the
Sometimes you have to guess the classification, which is normally not so difficult.
The rules given in many textbooks are based not on the
00
Very comprehensive and well-considered presentation, Aperisic, thank you.
( I think you intend 'My children are my two happinesses'-- a fine example.)
( I think you intend 'My children are my two happinesses'-- a fine example.)
00
Thank you.
I thank you for your very informative explanation and am sure a lot of people will be benefited as they review it or study over?? it.
I thank you for your very informative explanation and am sure a lot of people will be benefited as they review it or study over?? it.
00
Mister MicawberVery comprehensive and well-considered presentation, Aperisic, thank you.Thank you. I did it for myself, so why not to share.
( I think you intend 'My children are my two happinesses'-- a fine example.)
Of course, it should be My children are my two happinesses but I decided careles
0
Related Questions