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Reply With QuoteThere should have been an "a" before both of these words.
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- 02-Dec-2012, 15:46 #1
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I've got a headache/stomachache I read the following sentences from a book.
1. I 've got a headache.
2. I 've got stomachache.
In sentence 1, the author use "a" before headache. Why doesn't the author use "a" before stomachache in sentences 2? I looked "stomachache" up from dictionaries, it is a countable or uncountable noun. Is stomachache a countable or uncountable noun in sentence 2?
Thanks.Last edited by Winwin2011; 02-Dec-2012 at 16:08.
- 02-Dec-2012, 16:09 #2
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache
- 02-Dec-2012, 16:32 #3
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/toothache
He's got a really bad toothache.
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/toothache
He's got really bad toothache.
It seems that American English use an "a" before "toothache" whereas British English does not use an article before it.
- 02-Dec-2012, 16:36 #4
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache That is correct.
Originally Posted by Winwin2011 
Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.
- 02-Dec-2012, 16:40 #5
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache Well...what can I say? They also go to hospital and go to university. Perhaps one of our English members can provide us with a sound reason why the article is not required.
- 02-Dec-2012, 16:42 #6
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache "Headache" is the only one of the standard "aches" we do use the article with.
I have a headache.
I have stomachache.
I have toothache.
I have bellyache.
I have tummy ache.
I have earache.Remember - correct capitalisation, punctuation and spacing make posts much easier to read.
- 02-Dec-2012, 16:45 #7
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache No, that's just British usage. We don't have to have a reason for it, any more than you have to have a reason for AmE usage. Originally Posted by Gillnetter Last edited by 5jj; 02-Dec-2012 at 18:23.
Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.
- 02-Dec-2012, 17:17 #8
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache ***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Winwin:
And don't forget: If your significant other (wife / husband / girlfriend/ boyfriend) leaves you, you will have a
heartache -- maybe!
James
- 02-Dec-2012, 17:20 #9
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Re: I've got a headache/stomachache Some of us will heave an enormous sigh of relief. Originally Posted by TheParser Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.
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