Anger rose in him

[Bassim]

Would you please take a look at these sentences and correct my mistakes. I am wondering if the word "anger" needs an article. What would happen if I used an adjective, for example "fierce anger." In that case, does "anger" need an article?

Peter watched a group of children taunting an old man walking with a stick, and anger rose in him. If they were his children, he would give them a proper beating.

 

[emsr2d2]

No article is needed before "anger" in that sentence.

 

[Bassim]

emsr2d2,
Thank you for your reply. I am just wondering what is happening with the word "anger" in the case I have an adjective. Do I need an article in that case?
For example:
Peter watched a group of children taunting an old man walking with a stick, and a fierce anger rose in him.

 

[Matthew Wai]

a fierce anger

I would omit 'a' because 'anger' is uncountable, but I am not a teacher.

 

[tedmc]

I could use the "a" to describe a particular type of emotion, a fierce anger.
Feeling is also generally uncountable, but "a strange feeling" is common.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'Feeling' is countable, but 'anger' is not.
I deem it grammatical to say 'a feeling of fierce anger', but I am not a teacher.

 

[tedmc]

Countable or not, it can still be used.
https://www.englishforums.com/English/CountableAnger/bvhbpz/post.htm

 

[MikeNewYork]

There is nothing wrong with "a fierce anger".

 

[Matthew Wai]

Do you mean the construction 'indefinite article + adjective + uncountable noun' is grammatical?

 

[MikeNewYork]

I wouldn't make it a general rule, but it works here.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'Anger' is functioning as a countable noun in 'a fierce anger'. It is a type of anger that is fierce.

Can the two uncountable nouns below function as a countable noun?
'I have never earned an unlawful money.'
'A fresh air blew into the room.'

 

[MikeNewYork]

The first is a no.
The second is marginal.

 

[tedmc]

The sentences do not sound right.

I have never earned money illegally.
A draught of fresh air blew into the room.

 

[MikeNewYork]

"They sentences" does not sound right.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Can anyone think up other examples where 'indefinite article + adjective + uncountable noun' is grammatical?

 

[tedmc]

I wouldn't think about countability when writing about abstract things like feelings and emotions. I would use gut feeling to judge if an expression sounds right or not.
You can have an everlasting love, an uncontrollable fear, an indescribable joy, a trembling fear, an uncontrollable anger, a consuming jealousy, etc.