[Grammar] Usage of article 'a'

[Barman]

Is the indefinite article 'a' used before the following words? Are they all grammatically correct?

1) A sore throat.
2) A headache.
3) A stomachache.
4) A toothache.
5) A backache.
6) A fever.

For example,

A) I was suffering from a fever/ sore throat/ headache/ stomachache/ toothache/ backache/ fever for a few days.

 

[Rover_KE]

In my experience (British English) stomach ache, backache and toothache are more usually used without the article.

Our North American friends will give us their opinions when they wake up in an hour or two.

 

[PeterCW]

In my experience (British English) stomach ache, backache and toothache are more usually used without the article.

That is my experience as well.

 

[GoesStation]

All the examples are natural in American English. We don't often use any of those malady names without the indefinite article.

 

[Barman]

In case of 'few days', which is correct?

a) ......suffering from a few days.

b) ......suffering from few days.

 

[tzfujimino]

"... for a few days" is correct.

 

[Rover_KE]

Always write a full sentence.

 

[GoesStation]

[STRIKE]In case of[/STRIKE] With respect to 'few days', which is correct?

a) ......suffering from a few days.

b) ......suffering from few days.

Neither one works. Are you thinking of someone suffering from something for a few days?

 

[emsr2d2]

In case of 'few days', which is correct?

a) ......suffering from a few days.

b) ......suffering from few days.

You can't suffer from "a few days" or "few days". That sounds as if the few days were causing you to suffer.

 

[Barman]

Are you thinking of someone suffering from something for a few days?

Yes.

 

[emsr2d2]

Is the indefinite article 'a' used before the following words? Are they all grammatically correct?

1) A sore throat.
2) A headache.
3) A stomach space here ache.
4) A toothache.
5) A backache.
6) A fever.

For example,

A) I was suffering from a fever/sore throat/headache/stomach space here ache/toothache/backache/fever for a few days.

Please note my corrections above. Don't ask me why (it might be the number of syllables) but "stomach ache" is always two words, unlike "backache" and "toothache".
Don't put a space before or after a forward slash.

Note that most native speakers would say "I had" rather than "I was suffering from".

I agree with the others about the lack of an article before "backache", "headache" and "toothache".

 

[Barman]

You can't suffer from "a few days" or "few days". That sounds as if the few days were causing you to suffer.

If I mean that someone has been suffering from a minor ailment, e.g., a headache, a cold/fever or a sore throat for some days, is it correct to place the indefinite article 'a' before the words 'few days'?

 

[GoesStation]

If I mean that someone has been suffering from a minor ailment, e.g., a headache, a cold/fever or a sore throat for some days, is it correct to place the indefinite article 'a' before the words 'few days'?

Yes. It's required. Say "I've had a sore throat for a few days."

 

[emsr2d2]

If I mean that someone has been suffering from a minor ailment, e.g., a headache, a cold/fever or a sore throat for some days, is it correct to place the indefinite article 'a' before the words 'few days'?

Yes. It's required. Say "I've had a sore throat for a few days."

Or "... for the last few days".