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Mr. Tom Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Writer's block VS A writer's block

Hi

Is there a difference?

What's the best remedy for writer's block?
What's the best remedy for a writer's block?


Thanks,


Tom
  

Top answer

" a writer's block" feels relatively uncommon to me, so I would probably only use the first one. I suppose you could argue that the first ought to refer to the condition in general and the second to a particular episode of the condition, but in practice "writer's block" with no article is also used for a particular instance.

— GPY

  • " a writer's block" feels relatively uncommon to me, so I would probably only use the first one.
  • I suppose you could argue that the first ought to refer to the condition in general and the second to a particular episode of the condition, but in practice "writer's block" with no article is also used for a particular instance.
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4 Answers
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"a writer's block" feels relatively uncommon to me, so I would probably only use the first one. I suppose you could argue that the first ought to refer to the condition in general and the second to a particular episode of the condition, but in practice "writer's block" with no article is also used for a particular instance.
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Mr. TomWhat's the best remedy for writer's block?
Use this. We generally treat writer's block like we treat arthritis. It's uncountable, i.e., it takes no "a(n)".

What's the best remedy for [ rheumatism / arthritis / writer's block ]?

CJ
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Thanks GPY and CJ!

So, can't we consider the "a" in "a writer's block" to be connected with the noun "writer" rather than with the noun "block"? Just like "A child's problems".

Tom
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Mr. TomThanks GPY and CJ!So, can't we consider the "a" in "a writer's block" to be connected with the noun "writer" rather than with the noun "block"? Just like "A child's problems". Tom
I don't read it that way.
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