Characteristically, nouns are modified by articles. The modifying articles in English are three, and they are: ‘a’,’ an’ and ‘the’. It is conventional to use any of the articles with count nouns. However, among second-language users, especially, such usage often results in the erroneous deployment of indefinite articles alongside certain nouns that do not attract them. Again, for some of the nouns in this category, they attract articles in some contexts and do not in other contexts. This piece will, therefore, discuss some of these nouns and their appropriate deployment.
First things first, I must put you wise to the fact that some nouns can be deployed as countable and uncountable in the same contexts. Quintessential examples are ‘condition’ (state of health), ‘testament’ and ‘turmoil’.
The driver is in serious condition in hospital (standard).
The driver is in a serious condition in hospital (standard).
Last night, Hassan’s mind was in a turmoil (standard).
Last night, Hassan’s mind was in turmoil (standard).
The advancement of the company is a testament to Bode’s astuteness (standard).
The advancement of the company is testament to Bode’s astuteness (standard).
Following that, the use of the indefinite articles or otherwise could be the embodiment of the lexical dichotomies that sometimes exist between British English and American English. The ensuing examples reinforce this position:
I got into conversation with Tolu yesterday (British English).
I got into a conversation with Tolu yesterday (American English).
Dorcas has backache (British English only).
She has a backache (British English/American English).
As a corollary to the foregoing, some nouns like ‘intent’, ‘hearsay’, ‘harm’ and ‘weather’ do not attract the article ‘a’ in any context. In effect, they are conclusively mass nouns, as instanced in the sentences below:
He was apprehended for wounding with an intent (non-standard).
He was apprehended for wounding with intent (standard).
Everything you are reacting to is just a hearsay (non-standard).
Everything you are reacting to is just hearsay (standard).
A bad habit will do a great harm to one’s relationship with other people (non-standard).
A bad habit will do great harm to one’s relationship with other people (standard).
Pursuant to that, you also need to know that some nouns are, for the most part, countable. However, when they are immediately preceded by prepositions, they become uncount nouns. Classic examples are ‘lockdown’, ‘fraud’, ‘strike’, and ‘hard copy’.
A lockdown was imposed by the Federal Government (standard).
Several universities are in a lockdown (non-standard).
Several universities are in lockdown (standard).
A two-month strike has been called off (standard).
A fortnight ago, the NARD went on a strike (non-standard).
A fortnight ago, the NARD went on strike (standard).
James, kindly purchase a hard copy of the prose (standard).
James, the prose is not available in a hard copy (non-standard).
James, the prose is not available in hard copy (standard).
His proaction averted a $50 billion fraud (standard).
Kunle was charged with a fraud (non-standard)
Kunle was charged with fraud (standard)
He obtained that SUV by fraud (standard).
The final category encapsulates nouns whose deployment as count or mass nouns is a function of contexts. Illustrative examples of such words are ‘credit’, ‘inquiry’, ‘protocol’, ‘endeavour’, ‘opportunity’ and ‘activity’.
He was given a credit for the operation (non-standard).
He was given credit (due praise) for the operation (standard).
An intellect is a credit (an honour) to his nation (standard).
Bolaji must make an endeavour (an attempt to achieve a goal) to buckle down to his schoolwork (standard).
Tenacity is a requirement in all a human endeavour (non-standard).
Tenacity is a requirement in all human endeavour (extensive, steadfast, and industrious effort; standard).
His boss rebuked him for breaching an extant protocol (non-standard).
His boss rebuked him for breaching extant protocol (rules and conduct in formal settings; standard).
This is a widely acceptable health protocol (a plan for medical treatment; standard).
Paul and Pauline launched an inquiry (a question asked in order to obtain information) into the scandal (standard).
Who initiated an intellectual inquiry last month (non-standard)?
Who initiated intellectual inquiry (the process of asking questions to obtain information) last month (standard)?
They were afforded an ample opportunity to undertake research into the origin of the dreaded Zika virus (non-standard).
They were afforded ample opportunity (the extent of opportunities) to undertake research into the origin of the dreaded Zika virus (standard).
This is a rare opportunity (a time when achieving something is possible) to discuss with the Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson (standard).
Recently, there has been an upsurge in an economic activity in Nigeria (non-standard).
Recently, there has been an upsurge in economic activity (a situation in which developments unfold) in Nigeria (standard).
This is an activity (a thing that someone does) that many children cannot undertake without assistance (standard).
Every language requires mastery of the intricacies of its grammar. Such knowledge is a prerequisite for fluency. As such, this exposition has addressed one of the hardly scratched grammatical surface. In conclusion, whenever the readership are desirous of ascertaining the nominal status of nouns with regard to contexts, prepositional interference and so forth, reputable dictionaries like the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, the Oxford English Dictionary, the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary and the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English will serve them in good stead.
