http://www.englishforums.com/English/EslGeneralEnglishGrammar-Questions/Forum12.htmAsk your questions on grammar and get your sentence checked. We answer lots of different types of general English grammar questions here. <font color=red>DO NOT post paragraphs and compositions here. Post them in our <a href="http://www.englishforums.com/English/EssayReportCompositionWriting/Forum9.htm"><b>Essay, Report and Composition Writing Forum</b></a>.</font>enXMOD (Build: 3614.32638)http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358527Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:47:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:358527Gori0http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358527http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-358527.xmlThank you for your comments and information. You have helped me a lot!http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358476Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:47:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:358476Ant_2221http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358476http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-358476.xml&#171;So, do you mean that you would not use an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4 but would use it for #1?&#187; Yes. &#171;Is it wrong if I used an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4?&#187; No, but the sentences would assume slightly different meanings. For example: &#171;Add a carrot and an onion after heating the pan.&#187; — tells you to add exaxtly one carrot and one onion. Furtermore, one may understand that as adding whole (uncut) carrot and onion.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358307Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:47:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:358307Gori2http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358307http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-358307.xmlSo, do you mean that you would not use an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4 but would use it for #1? Is it wrong if I used an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4?http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358067Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:47:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:358067Philip3http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#358067http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-358067.xmlAnt_222 wrote: To me, in all these examples singular nouns denote a substance rather than a thing. That's why indefinite articles are omitted. P.S.: Anyway, I'd use "an old dog" for #1... because... it doesn't make much sense to speak of the substance (matter) of an old dog. I agree.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#357944Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:47:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:357944Ant_2224http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htm#357944http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-357944.xmlTo me, in all these examples singular nouns denote a substance rather than a thing. That's why indefinite articles are omitted. P.S.: Anyway, I'd use "an old dog" for #1... because... it doesn't make much sense to speak of the substance (matter) of an old dog.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htmSat, 24 Jan 2009 13:47:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:357835Gori5http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseOfIndefiniteArticles/vvxdc/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-357835.xmlI used to believe that, in general, I should use a singular countable noun with an article. However, reading one book talking about articles, I started to get myself confused whether or not an article should be really omitted (= should not be used) in the cases as follows: 1. This one smells like old dog . (not "an old dog"?) 2. It tastes like apple ./It tastes something like apple . (not "an apple"?) 3. You may put pineapple on your pizza. 4. Add carrot and onion after heating the pan. Well, according to the author of this book, he says that "an article is not necessary if the noun specified is not recognized as having its original form." As for the above 3 and 4, I kind of understand why "a/an" cannot be used--because we do...