Should I just accept the fact some uncountable nouns, especially those
that have abstract meanings, do not go well or don't not
fit with a
verb showing possession such as 'have'? |
|
Yes, you probably should
accept that. It's probably a lot easier to memorize idioms with
have plus a noun than to establish some sort of rule about which types of uncountable nouns go with
have and which don't.
have pity on someone
have mercy on someone
have trouble doing something
have difficulty doing something
have heartburn
have indigestion
have patience
have confidence in someone
have influence over/with someone
have power over someone
It seems one can't 'have' most of the emotions. These you mostly 'experience' or 'feel', not 'have'.
*have anger
*have fear
*have happiness
*have sadness
*have joy
*have grief
Nor many other abstract nouns. Often the correct expression involves 'be' rather than 'have'.
*have coldness (be cold)
*have willingness (be willing)
*have fame (be famous)
*have virtue (be virtuous)
*have caution (be cautious)
*have pride (be proud)
*have greed (be greedy)
CJ