Abstract nouns

with and without a/an

(Students’ book, m.2.3, p.20)
 Indefinite article A/AN
• A is used before a noun beginning with a consonant sound
Ex.: a uniform, a yoghurt

• An is used before a noun beginning with a vowel sound

Ex.: an umbrella, an airplane, an apple
 Uncountable/mass nouns
Uncountable nouns have no plural form and are used with a singular verb.
They are often referred to as mass nouns because they refer to things we think
of as a ‘mass’ rather than individual items.
Uncountable nouns often refer to substances: bread, salt, water, metal, etc.
Many uncountable nouns also refer to abstract ideas/concepts, mental states or
emotions:
advice, education, happiness, information, knowledge, learning, progress,
reluctance, tolerance, etc.
 Abstract nouns
• Some abstract nouns such as hope, love, knowledge, pleasure can refer to
either a general concept or a specific situation or example.
Look at the examples:
1. Children need a lot of love and affection.
2. Penny could have shouted with joy.
3. I want my daughter to develop a healthy respect for danger but not to live in
fear.
 General concept : a/an

• When talking about a general concept, a/an is NOT used before the noun.
Examples:
1. I need help.
2. Love is important.
3. Knowledge is power.
 Specific reference: a/an
• When referring to a specific situation/example a/an CAN precede the noun.
In this case the noun is generally modified by an adjective, a determiner or a
defining relative clause or a phrase.
Examples:
1. In a wild relief he put his hands to his face.
2. It’s a shame; It’s a pleasure;
3. What a pity!; What a relief!
 General or specific???
1 Knowledge is power. (abstract concept in general)
• A (good) knowledge of Math is important in this job. (specific example)
2. He was a man of great learning. (abstract concept in general)
• A little learning is a dangerous thing. (specific example)
3. We want our children to have the best chance of happiness. (abstract concept
in general)
• I felt a happiness that I had never known before. (specific situation)
 Plural form???
• Many abstract nouns don’t have a plural form
(e.g.: information, violence, peace, knowledge, justice, progress, anger,
courage, chaos) and
some of them can be used in plural with a slightly different meaning
(e.g.: life, hope, trouble, worry, experience, work, evil).
 Abstract nouns with plural forms
• Is there life on the moon? We lead busy lives.
• This treatment offers hope to thousands. They had high hopes of success.
• I’ve been having (some) trouble (= difficulty) checking my
email. There were a lot of troubles (= problems) with the system at first.
• I was frantic with worry (= feeling anxious) about my exams.
Many students have financial worries (=problems).