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Snvplayer Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Use of article
The party risks a crushing defeat. The party risks outright defeat in the general election planned for 2015.
Why is there "a" before the defeat in the first sentence, but no "a" before
the defeat in the second sentence?
Thank you.
Why is there "a" before the defeat in the first sentence, but no "a" before
the defeat in the second sentence?
Thank you.
Top answer
Many nouns can be both countable and uncountable. In the first instance, 'defeat' is countable, a single instance of the condition; in the second instance, 'defeat' is an uncountable condition generally considered.
- Many nouns can be both countable and uncountable.
- In the first instance, 'defeat' is countable, a single instance of the condition; in the second instance, 'defeat' is an uncountable condition generally considered.
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4 Answers
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Many nouns can be both countable and uncountable. In the first instance, 'defeat' is countable, a single instance of the condition; in the second instance, 'defeat' is an uncountable condition generally considered.
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Thank you for your reply.
Could you further explain why it's considered uncountable in the second sentence?
Or, it is matter of a choice by the writer?
Thank you.
Could you further explain why it's considered uncountable in the second sentence?
Or, it is matter of a choice by the writer?
Thank you.
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snvplayerWhy is there "a" before the defeat in the first sentence, but no "a" before the defeat in the second sentence?It's worth noting that "crushing" describes what kind of defeat is risked. Adjectives like "crushing" modify nouns. We might say that "defeat" here is a 'pure noun'. It means 'an occasion of defeat'.
On the other hand, "outright"
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