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Good question/ A good question

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MoHammaD_93

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Hello,

When someone interacts with some one else asking a question, and says: "good question", why NOT use articles and say "a good question". Or in another situation "close answer" not "a close answer".

Thank you
 

MASM

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Hello,

When someone interacts with some one else asking a question, and says: "good question", why NOT use articles and say "a good question". Or in another situation "close answer" not "a close answer".

Thank you

I think this is because they are dropping (that's a) good question or (that's a)close answer when speaking.
 

MoHammaD_93

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Thank you, but why do they drop articles in proverbs, too. For ins "without hope heart would break"
 

Barb_D

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I would definitely have an article with "heart" in that.
 

MASM

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I think you might be referring to the Zero Article.
There are situations in which you cannot use an article for plural countable nouns or noun countable nouns like: Sticks and stones will break my bones, Time is money or We moved furniture today. This also happens with meals, institutions, diseases...

In your example, you might need an article as Barb_D says
 
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