a+adjective+uncountable noun

Status
Not open for further replies.

sebayanpendam

Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Malagasy
Home Country
Malaysia
Current Location
Malaysia
Hi,

Do all uncountable nouns take zero article form with adjectives to describe nouns?
"She has shown great love for the children."
 

birdeen's call

VIP Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Polish
Home Country
Poland
Current Location
Poland
Hi,

Do all uncountable nouns take zero article form with adjectives to describe nouns?
"She has shown great love for the children."
When a noun is used uncountably, it cannot take the indefinite article. However, most words that are usually used uncountably, can be used countably too. They can take the indefinite article then.
 

freezeframe

Key Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
When a noun is used uncountably, it cannot take the indefinite article. However, most words that are usually used uncountably, can be used countably too. They can take the indefinite article then.

Sometimes it can if you put a descriptive adjective in front of it. By pointing out some attribute, the adjective describes a type of whatever the uncountable noun is. So the indefinite article can be used there. This doesn't work with all uncountable nouns.

EDIT: wasn't there a thread about this some days ago?
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
Wasn't there a thread about this some days ago?

Yes. See Similar Threads at the bottom of the page.

Rover
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top