song VS a song

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pructus  #324567  Mon, 05 Feb 07 08:58 AM

Hi!

Much to my surprise Ben suddenly burst into song.

 

In the sentence above, "song" needs to be changed into "a song",

because song is a countable noun?

 

  
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nona the brit  #324571  Mon, 05 Feb 07 09:36 AM

No, the sentence doesn't need to be changed.

Song, noun

a short musical composition of words and music b : a collection of such compositions - this would be 'a' song.
the act or art of singing - this is the meaning intended in the sentence.

'burst into song' is quite a common phrase.

  
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pructus  #324572  Mon, 05 Feb 07 09:38 AM

Oh!

I see, now...

Thanks, Guru!

  
Philip  #324688  Mon, 05 Feb 07 04:23 PM
 Pructus wrote:

Hi!

Much to my surprise Ben suddenly burst into song.

 

In the sentence above, "song" needs to be changed into "a song",

because song is a countable noun?

 

This is almost idiomatic......perfectly correct.
  
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