omission of indefinite article

[JarekSteliga]

I notice that indefinite article is omitted where for all I know it should be used.

Examples:

1. Is this a pen?

2. Is this tea / cheese / bread / butter / sugar / salt ?

Is there anything behind this or am I making things up?

[spongie]

I notice that indefinite article is omitted where for all I know it should be used.

Examples:

1. Is this a pen? "Pen" is a countable noun so "a" is necessary.

2. Is this tea / cheese / bread / butter / sugar / salt ? All of those nouns are uncountable. Hence they don't need an article.

Is there anything behind this or am I making things up?

Hope it helps.

Not a teacher.

[JarekSteliga]

Hope it helps.

Not a teacher.

Ouch, I should have known better

Many thanks. You did help me.

[susiedq]

You must be sure to look at HOW the word is used in the sentence.

Is this a special tea to help insomnia?

I like a sugar that is unrefined.

[JarekSteliga]

You must be sure to look at HOW the word is used in the sentence.

Is this a special tea to help insomnia?

I like a sugar that is unrefined.

Yes, I read up on this now. When tea as such is uncountable, its varieties or types are no longer so.

Same thing with sugar and all other uncountable nouns.

Thanks