http://www.englishforums.com/search/pro.htm?q=tag%3aIndefiniteSearch results for 'tag:Indefinite' matching tag 'Indefinite'en-USXMOD (Build: 3607.32596)http://www.englishforums.com/English/AfternoonCoffee/lprdg/post.htm#992499Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:48:32 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:992499yankeeThere is no indefinite article with the word "coffee" because "coffee" is an uncountable noun. However, you could say this: - Afternoon is the time I need a cup of coffee . The word "afternoon" does not have an article because that word refers generally to a time of day. In theory, you could also say "the afternoon", but it isn't necessary in your sentence.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheyFeverFever/zgznn/post.htm#979750Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:58:48 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:979750vini.chI know I am responding to a very old post .. none the less I'd rather have my doubt cleared. I understand that we use the indefinite articles with countable nouns however how is Fever considered to be countable?http://www.englishforums.com/English/SingularPronouns/ljkrb/post.htm#965934Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:21:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:965934cool breezeI don't like the use of it in your first sentence. I would say: I bet after a few visits you'll find those kind of places boring. Kind is an irregular plural in that expression according to many authoritative grammarians such as Otto Jespersen. The only grammatically exceptional thing about other is that when a countable singular noun is used with it and it requires an indefinite article (an), the article is not a separate word. Examples of other: I need an other car . I need other book s . Some other boy s had seen her. Another boy had seen her. John and Paul are here. Where are the other boys? CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhenCertainSentences/lhqzz/post.htm#958114Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:24:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:958114mister micawberThere are whole books on this subject, so we cannot cover everything here. Basically, 'the' is used before a common noun which has been mentioned before in the conversation or is specific or is understood by the listener and speaker. 'A/an' is used for the first mention of a common noun or when referring to a non-specific representative of that noun. For plenty of further details, use a search engine on the phrases 'definite article' and 'indefinite article'.http://www.englishforums.com/English/BeforeAfterAbstractNoun/lhdrq/post.htmMon, 26 Oct 2009 23:49:02 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:954005snappyI am not a native speaker of English. My mother tongue is Japanese, and we have no Japanese word class that functions like the English definite article "the." Therefore, the indefinite article is one of the most difficult word classes to us. Please see the following examples. 1. What are you going to do before/after breakfast/lunch/dinner/work/school/etc? (No need to say, "before your breakfast," "after your breakfast," etc.) 2. I went out before/on/after receipt of his letter. (No need to say, "before my receipt of his letter," "on my receipt of his letter," etc.) 3. You need to pay the charges before/at the time of/on/after delivery of the product (No need to say, "before the...http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyMillionDollarsSpentSpent/lgzlp/post.htm#949921Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:56:50 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:949921cool breezeThe amount is more important than the individual 1.5 million one-dollar bills/banknotes. In the same way: Two kilometres is enough. Five weeks was too much for me! You can even use the indefinite article with a plural: He spent a happy five day s in Monte Carlo. CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ArticleAOrThe/lzzvq/post.htmSat, 17 Oct 2009 04:41:30 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:944825dawood usmaniHi everybody! Why do we always use an indefinite article "a" before the word lie while necessarily definite article "the" before the word truth? Thanks a million!http://www.englishforums.com/English/ExtraordinaryPowerExtraordinary-Power/lvxhw/post.htm#942872Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:45:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:942872anonymousHi. Thank you. Let me correct something what I said by saying that I didn't write a post on this topic (content) a few days ago but I am sure that I wrote it yesterday in your General Vocabulary & Idiom Questions section. Anyway, what I meant to ask was not why do we use (have?) the indefinite article "an" before the word "power" with having the adjective "extraordinary" in between in the phrase "an extraordinary power" when I think the word "power" here means something to the effect of ability or control over something or someone (if I am not mistaken) and think it is uncountable in that meaning? Also, I also have seen phrases like "a love that can't be...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ExtraordinaryPowerExtraordinary-Power/lvxhw/post.htmThu, 15 Oct 2009 00:31:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:942556anonymousHi. When do we use the indefinite article "an" before the word "extraordinary"? In a religious context, what could be the deciding factor for using the phrase "possess extraordinary power" versus using the phrase "possess an extraordinary power"? I think I learn from this forum that uncountable nouns could be turned countable if made into types or instances of them, but I think we are more inclined to see words like "sadness" that deals with human emotion or feelings turned countable than, say, a word like "power." I wrote a post in your General English Vocabulary & Idiom Questions section dealing basically the same topic (content/issue) a few days ago but...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AnExtraordinaryPower/lvlbw/post.htmWed, 14 Oct 2009 06:57:20 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:941587anonymousHi. I think when we use the word "power" with an indefinite article (in its countable form?), it refers to a nation. In a religious context, what does the countable form (as it seems) of the word "power" mean? eg, an extraordinary power given to a Christian by ...http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseIndefiniteArticlePluralsPlural-Headings/kqhgh/post.htm#916002Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:32:29 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:916002mister micawberYou haven't used the indefinite articles ( a/an ). You have used two definite articles: 'Modifying the Design of the Components'. You cannot use ' a components ', if that is what you mean.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UseIndefiniteArticlePluralsPlural-Headings/kqhgh/post.htmThu, 24 Sep 2009 10:51:02 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:915950anonymousIs it incorrect to use the indefinite article with plurals like - Modifying the Design of the Componentshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Differences/kqdhx/post.htm#914850Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:35:12 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:914850avangiThis is not a comprehensive answer! You might think about the difference between the indefinite article "a / an" and the definite article "the." Would you like this one or the other one? (reply) I'd like the other one. Would you like some more apples? (reply) Yes. I'd like an other one. If we're talking about an "indefinite" item, we don't care which one it is. "Other" by itself is used to exclude certain choices: On my vacation this year, I'd like to go somewhere other than Hawaii and Bermuda.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheChargeLightBrigade1/2/kpldl/Post.htm#913307Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:26:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:913307avangiYour second question, with the indefinite article, could be taken as general. mustn't it be the light brigade or the light brigades or light brigades to show generality? Interesting question. We'd usually say that " THE light brigade" refers to some particular light brigade which has been previously mentioned. We'd use the indefinite article for a general comment about "light brigades," such as "A light brigade is so called because its armament is light in comparison to some other brigades." But it's often the case that the previous mention refers to a class of brigades, as in the case of Clive's remarks on the subject. If someone asks, "What is the difference between a...http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheChargeLightBrigade1/kpldl/post.htm#913177Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:15:32 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:913177coloradayYour second question, with the indefinite article, could be taken as general.   mustn't it be the light brigade or the light brigades or light brigades to show generality? Thankshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/TheChargeLightBrigade1/kpldl/post.htm#912787Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:39:15 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:912787avangiDoes the light brigade mean a troop of cavalry soldiers? You mean a light brigade can also be infantry? Yes, I see the article can be important here. My apologies. Your first question, with the definite article, should be taken as referring to the poem. Your second question, with the indefinite article, could be taken as general. - A.http://www.englishforums.com/English/QuestionsPhrasesSentences-Articles/kphnp/post.htm#911605Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:59:44 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:911605mister micawber1. Could we have the indefinite article "a" infront of the word "resurrection"?- - Yes 2. Could we use the word "equipment" without the phrase "a piece of" in this instance?- - Yes 3. Only this one works: 2. He is no less (of) a man than the buffed-up Joe over there. I also think the following two sentences show virtually no difference.-- Right you are.http://www.englishforums.com/English/QuestionsPhrasesSentences-Articles/kphnp/post.htmMon, 21 Sep 2009 05:35:41 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:911164anonymousHi. 1. Could we have the indefinite article "a" infront of the word "resurrection"? eg, ... needs a spiritual resurrection 2. Could we use the word "equipment" without the phrase "a piece of" in this instance? Sonar is equipment ... 3. I think there is virtually no difference. What do you think? 1. He is no less man than the buffed-up Joe over there. 2. He is no less of a man than the buffed-up Joe over there. I also think the following pair shows (show?) virtually no difference. 1. He spent all the money he had. 2. He spent all of the money he had.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ListOfArticles/kwzkw/post.htm#908731Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:39:13 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:908731mister micawberThat's it-- you have them all-- all three of them. (Occasionally, 'some' is considered a plural indefinite article)http://www.englishforums.com/English/AHighExamPassRate/knjjx/post.htmMon, 14 Sep 2009 18:19:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:901847palinkasocsiDear Friends, I wonder if I need the indefinite article in the following: This language school attracts people with the promise of a high exam pass rate. ? Thank you. Palinkasocsihttp://www.englishforums.com/English/Essay/khkgr/post.htm#883085Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:46:31 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:883085ben777Hello Vctory Ong, I enjoyed reading your essay, I think you're an imaginative writer who is skilled at making the place you are describing seem real. Here are some of the errors I noticed in your essay. We enjoys, they dances, jogs... everyone go home for work.. We have a rule in English, sometimes you have to add an "s" to the end of a verb, and sometimes you don't. Usually, the only time you need to add an "s" at the end of the verb is when the noun that immediately comes before it is in the singular, third person format. 3rd person is when you are speaking about people as if you are outside of the situation, and singular is when you are referring to a noun as one entity. In the excerpts from your work...http://www.englishforums.com/English/PartOfSpeech/kjdkj/post.htm#880562Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:20:17 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:880562cliveHi, what part of speech is the word 'a'. It's an indefinite article. For example, in the sentence, "Either this is a delusion or there are is oatmeal cookies nearby." What part of speech is the word 'a'? Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyTheDefiniteArticle/kgbdm/post.htmSun, 16 Aug 2009 20:53:07 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:865040pastsimpleHi, why do the following titles contain the definite article and not the indefinite article: Gunship: The Helicopter Simulation (name of a computer game) Bridge: The English Magazine for Students (name of a magazine) The above are real life examples.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WhyTheAndNotAAn/kgrkc/post.htmSun, 16 Aug 2009 17:53:29 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:864860pastsimpleHi, why do the following titles contain the definite article and not the indefinite article: Gunship: The Helicopter Simulation (name of a computer game) Bridge: The English Magazine for Students (name of a magazine) The above are real life examples.http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheUseOfSmellOf/kzlcc/post.htm#863089Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:20:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:863089katejsUsually no article, but a definite article is possible if the sentence is specific about the source of the smell. His breath smelled of the fish he had eaten for dinner. I can't think of an instance where an indefinite article would be used.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SoSillyAFancy/kvwbd/post.htm#857410Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:19:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:857410tanitHii, I have a question related to this that nagged me for some time in the past and that I forgot ... until I saw this thread. I know that there's a special word order when we have as - how - so - too , the indefinite article, a noun and an adjective. I also remember these structures are quite formal. He wouldn't do that. He's too good a boy . I've never seen as happy a man as him. How talented a writer is he? That was so enjoyable a book that I could't put it down. (Hope these were correct. I've just made them up. Please correct them if there's something wrong.) My question is: are there any other words for which this particular word order ( X + adjective + a/an + noun ) applies? More...http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageDefiniteIndefinite-Article/kvdjl/post.htm#857125Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:25:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:857125cliveHi again, English grammar books published in Japan explains: "This is the doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made only one doll yesterday. Yes. It also suggests that the listener is already aware that a doll was made. You might like to consider these examples. example 1. I don't know you make dolls. You walk into the room and say 'This is a doll that I made yesterday'. I say 'Oh, how nice'. example 2. I don't know you make dolls. You walk into the room and say 'This is the doll that I made yesterday'. I say 'What doll? What are you talking about?' "This is a doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he...http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageDefiniteIndefinite-Article/kvdjl/post.htm#856827Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:12:12 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:856827snappyThanks. English grammar books published in Japan explains: "This is the doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made only one doll yesterday. "This is a doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made more than one doll yesterday. Nevertheless, can I use "This is a doll that he made yesterday" in the following cases? 1. I do not know how many dolls he made yesterday (he might have made one doll or more than one doll). 2. It does not look like a doll (because he is clumsy and the person I am talking to said, "What's this waste cloth?" In this case, it does not matter how many dolls he made yesterday.)http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageDefiniteIndefinite-Article/kvdjl/post.htm#856061Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:22:59 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:856061snappyHi, Does this conversation sound natural? No, it doesn't. Here's the natural version. A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine, please? B: Sure. It's easy. Just press this button. Clive Thanks. Please guess when they talk to each other over the phone. The point of my question is "press the green button" or "press a green button."http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageDefiniteIndefinite-Article/kvdjl/post.htmMon, 10 Aug 2009 17:55:39 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:855893snappyDoes this conversation sound natural? A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine? B: Sure. It's easy. Open the top cover and press a small green button that is located on the back of the top cover. Should it be "press the small green button" instead of "press a small green button" because there is only one small green button on the back of the top cover? B did not know the existence of the small green button until A told B. Therefore, I'm wondering if either "press a small green button" or "press the small green button" will do in this case.http://www.englishforums.com/English/Corrections2/kcmvw/post.htm#848645Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:44:41 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:848645mtrevHello, again, Mr. Teo. Are you studying for the TESOL exam? (a) "They are practising archery every weekend." As an American, I would say "practicing." (b) "She is using lipstick," without the indefinite article "a." (c) "A crab has a pair of pincers," because they do. (d) You may say all of them depending on what you mean - general, specific, a small area, or a large area. (e) "He covered her with a blanket because she was cold," which is a nice thing to do for a girl, especially is she's your girlfriend, wife, daughter, or in more charitable moods your sister. As to the second sentence, either one could be used, though "because of..." is the...http://www.englishforums.com/English/Such/kbpmz/post.htm#844671Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:15:54 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:844671anonymousYes, it's correct. We use such as an adverb intensifier. It gives emphasis to an adjective. As an adverb, "such" can precede an adjective. It can also precede "a" or "an" - indefinite articles - and an adjective. I think it would be good to take a look at such in some dictionaries to some examples, as well as other ways in which such can be used. As well, here's a tutorial for "such", which included "so" as well: such tutorial . Dictionaries American Heritage Dictionary Cambridge ESL Dictionary Longman ESL Dictionary Longman ESL Dictionarhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/CountableUncountableNouns/kbpkx/post.htm#844657Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:36:38 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:844657anonymousThe noun "dream" is countable. We can consider that "imagination" is either uncountable or countable , See the definition at Cambridge Dictionaries Online: imagination . Here's an example to show how "imagination" is countable. Wow, Jimmy, you have quite an imagination! I never could have thought of that. Uncountable nouns are not preceded by the indefinite artciles "a" and "an". If a noun is preceded by an indefinite article, it means we can count it. Some nouns are both countable and uncountable.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ALotOfProfit/kbcxp/post.htmFri, 31 Jul 2009 00:50:33 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:840954postmodernblissHello, I have a quick question. Is the following sentence correct?: A lot of our profits came from several overseas business ventures. Profits is a countable noun because it can be used as a plural noun (Our profits are high.) and with an indefinite article (We made a profit last year.) As such, my sense is that the aforementioned sentence is correct. However, it sounds wonky to some extent. Many kind thanks to anyone who answers this post.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralityQuestions/jqqml/post.htm#835173Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:04:19 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:835173alpheccastarsQ1) What would be the reason of not using an article before " noun "? It is probably a shortcut to save space. Some dictionaries use abbreviations for grammatical position, but these are not as readable. Q2) Here, can I say " McMillan dictionary " instead of " A McMillan dictionary "? I didn't see "A McMillan dictionary" in your text, but use of the indefinite article would imply that there are several different McMillan dictionaries. It is probably not what you mean. McMillan dictionary gave an explanation about "certain": " used for talking about someone when you know their name but nothing else about them ." "Their" and "them" are...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AdjectiveStartingVowel/jqcwc/post.htm#831176Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:12:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:831176philipThis often happens when people are speaking extemporaneously, without a printed text from which to read. It becomes, in effect, a sort of "articulated pause + indefinite article". I have every confidence that he knows the difference between 'a' and 'an'.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ASentenceFromANovelLoser/jpxqx/post.htm#830812Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:00:01 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:830812mrpernicketyTrash day is the day the trash is collected. Where I live, it's Tuesday, so on Monday night, everyone brings their trash to the curb. For some reason, many large trash cans are green. Hi, GG Can I use the indefinite article left to the expression "trash day" ? Would this sentence with the indefinite article sound natural by you? On a trash day the garbage man, while going about his usual business, found a dead male body stuck in the trash can. Thanks !http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageOfFakeInterest/jpvjv/post.htm#826704Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:40:03 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:826704grammar geekHi, Is this dialog grammatical and natural by your standards? A: Why don't you hang out with the Jonhson's kids anymore? B: I'm tired of faking interest in whatever BS they're saying, so I've ended our friendship. I suppose I can't say " faking an interest in ". I mean, the indefinite article is gratuitous here, isn't it? Thanks ! The Johnson kids. Not Johnson's. You can say it either with or without the "an." With the "an" it seems to refer to each time. What's not natural is "so I've ended our friendship." That sounds so formal - not in keeping with "hang out with" and "kids"...http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageOfFakeInterest/jpvjv/post.htm#826699Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:32:49 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:826699rayhI suppose I can't say " faking an interest in ". I mean, the indefinite article is gratuitous here, isn't it? I don't have any problem with either version.http://www.englishforums.com/English/UsageOfFakeInterest/jpvjv/post.htmSun, 19 Jul 2009 16:30:54 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:826697mrpernicketyHi, Is this dialog grammatical and natural by your standards? A: Why don't you hang out with the Jonhson's kids anymore? B: I'm tired of faking interest in whatever BS they're saying, so I've ended our friendship. I suppose I can't say " faking an interest in ". I mean, the indefinite article is gratuitous here, isn't it? Thanks !http://www.englishforums.com/English/DoYouReallyNeedThatSuffix/jxzkd/post.htm#822917Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:31:07 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:822917cool breezeThere may be situations in which the plural s is needed but English would probably manage without it quite well. In Swedish, another Germanic language, nouns have five or six declensions. In one of them nouns have the same indefinite singular and plural forms. A suffix is often added to a noun for the singular definite form and no article is used. An example: ett hus = a house; huset = the house. In one of these declensions the indefinite singular and plural forms are the same: I have a house = Jag har ett hus I have five house s = Jag har fem hus The meaning (singular or plural) is clear even if the numeral fem (five) is omitted because the article ett is needed before the singular form but just like English, the indefinite...http://www.englishforums.com/English/AndLeftFullPublicView/jnxhp/post.htm#819800Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:04:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:819800fandorinHi Knoff. Thanks for replying. I'm just wondering whether I used an indefinite article appropriately.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AUniversityEducation/jnmxr/post.htm#819739Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:22:21 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:819739sync2009Actually, we are conditioned to believe that the indefinite article "a, an" is used to talk about a general situation and people are in a muddle when someone uses it for a specific condition. First, we should understand that language is an inexact science where 2+2 can equal to 5. Consider the following examples: a) The former Vice-Chancellor of Queen's, the late Sir Gordon Beveridge, often remarked that the whole point of a university education is “learning to learn” b) Ms Morgan, who has just sat her A levels and is hoping to begin studying archaeology in September, said she was aware that a university education was no guarantee of a quality job. Merci Synchttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeSingularNounsIndefiniteArticle/jmmrl/post.htm#816566Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:49:51 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:816566philipCB, you always are very good at finding the proverbial "exception which proves the rule". Actually, the answer probably should have excluded "the indefinite article", because it is often used. The question, then, is when is it and when isn't it.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeSingularNounsIndefiniteArticle/jmmrl/post.htm#816250Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:19:32 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:816250cool breezeThe indefinnite article and numbers are not used with non-countable nouns, such as advice. So, he has a good knowledge of English is wrong? CBhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeSingularNounsIndefiniteArticle/jmmrl/post.htm#814205Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:53:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:814205philipThe indefinnite article and numbers are not used with non-countable nouns, such as advice.http://www.englishforums.com/English/SomeSingularNounsIndefiniteArticle/jmmrl/post.htmFri, 10 Jul 2009 17:27:34 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:814124guyper"He gave me good advice" Instead of "He gave me a good advice" ? Is there any explanations on why you can't apply indefinite article on some singular nouns? Thank youhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/QuestionsOnTwoSentences/jmjgb/post.htmFri, 10 Jul 2009 02:42:22 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:813349anonymousHi. Please help. 1. Could we have put the indefinite article "the" in front of what suppose (could be) to be part of a definition? I think you can see there is a post-modification that restricts the noun "money" (eventhough it is ellipted -- is that the right word anyway?). An allowance is money (the money?) you receive ... 2. Could we have used the word "experience" instead of the word "experiences"? He left us, having offered more than five years of good experiences .http://www.englishforums.com/English/GerundAsCountable/jmjzp/post.htmFri, 10 Jul 2009 02:30:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:813346anonymousHi. I think when you put the an indefinite article "a" or "an" in front of a gerund, I think you are making it countable. eg, a tightening of requirements Do you think we could we apply this to almost all gerunds (like "tightening" - I think this is a gerund) or some gerund phrases like "tightening of money"? On second thoghts, I think I have never seen the phrase "a writing of a novel" or "a playing of a rough sport." As to the latter phrase, I may have -- I don't know. All confused. Help.http://www.englishforums.com/English/HydrodynamicHydrodynamic/jmczx/post.htm#812800Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:14:47 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:812800fandorinSo, when talking about modelling hydrodynamics, we would use "a hydrodynamic model"? Yes. our answer has lead me to another question: is it "...indefinite articles which should...", or "...indefinite articles that should..."? According to "The elements of style", by Strunk and White, I would have thought the use of that was preferable in this sentence. Usage In U.S. English, it is usually recommended that which be employed only for nonrestrictive (or nonessential) clauses: the horse, which is in the paddock, is six years old (the which clause contains a nonessential fact, noted in passing; the horse would be six years old wherever it was). A that clause is restrictive (or essential), as it...