Use of the indefinite article before an uncountable noun?

Question

Hi,The following sentence is taken from a US patent:"The user device processes the carrier signals to obtain a first carrier phase information" (*)Note the indefinite article (marked red). None of the dictionaries I have allows using "information" as a countable noun.  If you could comment on such usage of the indefinite article? Do you think it is just a typo?Mus-te

JohnParis · Accepted Answer

Mus-te

Looks like a typo to me.

John

Anonymous · Answer

MUSCOVITEThe following sentence is taken from a US patent:
"The user device processes the carrier signals to obtain a first carrier phase information" (*)
Note the indefinite article (marked red). None of the dictionaries I have allows using "information" as a countable noun.
If you could comment on such usage of the indefinite article? Do you think it is just a typo?

Yes, it probably is a typo. The indefinite article is typically used with count nouns (and non-count quantificational nouns like lot), but information is a non-count noun. Depending on the meaning of the text (it's too technical for me), the definite article the may be appropriate, or no article at all.

Best
J

Use of the indefinite article before an uncountable noun?

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