How to apply "singular count nouns need an article"?

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vgv8

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The rule "singular count nouns need an article" is very simple and would have been extremely useful.

Is it the universal rule?

I observe a lot of examples contradicting it

How to apply this rule?
 

vgv8

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As an example, first jumped to my head:
- "free of charge"

Charge is countable noun
 

lauralie2

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As an example, first jumped to my head:
- "free of charge"

Charge is countable noun
'Free of' means no:


  • free of cost, no cost
  • free of fat, no fat

'free of' and 'no' hold the same structural position; they determine the noun they modify, just like 'a/an'. Pick one, not both. If you change them into adjectives, then a determiner is required:


  • free of cost
    • the/a free-of-cost subscription
    • the/a no-cost subscription


  • free of fat
    • the/a free-of-fat diet
    • the/a no-fat diet
 

vgv8

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Thanks a lot,
but I still did not grasp about articles after "of" and before a noun...

Should the word "interaction" be always preceded by an article in the phrase:
"... a new concept of interaction between your website visitors and the CAPTCHA..."?
 
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