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exploring the use of article in depth

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Anonymous  #539631  Fri, 11 Jul 08 02:55 AM
Hi,
I think a proper name (I think a name is a proper noun) like Joe can take an adjective but attaching some adjectives creates a need for an article and some do not.

good Joe is on the run.
A jubilant/sad Joe is on the run
.

See, to me, 'jubilant and sad' create a need for an article, in this being an indefinite one, whereas the use of  'good' has not. I think it is on the nature and semantic meaning of the words involved.

I think I can adorn 'Joe' with an article and an adjective like 'good' if I make a context that exhibits type differentiation like this.

A good Joe is on the run, where as a bad Joe, which is what he used be is resting at home.

I think the same principles? method? can be applied to an uncountable noun like the word 'happiness'.

Low-degree happiness is possible when your life revolves around mundane routines without anything extraordinary.

But if I attach a different adjective with a different feel to it a need for an article is apparent.

An all-consuming happiness is one that doesn't come very often to a normal person, in my opinion.

See, whatever that 'all-consuming' mean in that context, the nature or semantic meaning of the words 'all-consuming' created a need for an article. It can be arisen by contexct, IMO, too like the name.

A happiness I felt when my long dog friend found a mate and bore a puppy.was unlike any happiness I felt until that time.

In summary, I think this method? can be applied to most of the proper names like *** Street and *** Stadium, the ones that normally do not take articles. Am I right?
  
26TMNTJG2PG  #540350  Sat, 12 Jul 08 07:37 AM
Articles are just demonstrative adjectives telling you which ones or which kinds.

When you say a happiness, it means a kind of happiness, while a Joe may mean one of those having the same name of Joe and may include their characters or
characteristics.

And, articles are usually used with proper names if such proper names are used as adjectives.
  
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