How2die  +  205289 Sat, 11 Mar 06 11:03 PM Ok, I am completely confused about the use of articles in this particular construct. The range of choices is nil/a/the A of nil/a/the B. Are there any rules? Also, could anyone recommend any book/article/source which describes this in detail? I know that my question is rather general, but if you need any examples I can find them and post them here. Just let me know Cheers, Al How2die Joined on Mon, Dec 26 2005 nz New Member 11 Articles

	Clive  +  205290 Sat, 11 Mar 06 11:17 PM Hi Al, I'm not sure what you have in mind, but offhand I'd say that all these are possible, depending on meaning and context. Please post some examples that you would like to discuss. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,676 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Articles

	CalifJim  +  205340 Sun, 12 Mar 06 04:56 AM The question is a little too all-encompassing! A can be a count noun in the singular or plural or a non-count noun.  So can B. So there are three choices of article for A, three categories of A's, three choices of article for B, and three categories of B's, giving a total of 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 or 81 phrases just to consider one example of each of the possible combinations!!!  Subtracting the combinations with a and a plural, clearly impossible, only slightly reduces the total count. It would probably be better if you posted individual combinations you have come across which are troublesome for you, and we can discuss them. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,465 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Articles, Plurals, Nouns