4

There is such a thing in English that when a mass noun combined with an adjective it takes the indefinite article. For example:

He had a great knowledge of English.

But I have noticed that is not always the case. For example: I have observed that with the word "fluency" and other adjective the is not followed, for instance:

She showed great fluency in English.

Would it be correct to say "She showed a great fluency in English"? Tell me please if there is any additional rule to that.

user3169
  • 30,999
  • 2
  • 27
  • 56
Dmytro O'Hope
  • 15,175
  • 31
  • 154
  • 303
  • 1
    Hmmm...no. _He had a great courage_ is not correct. – Phil14 Aug 16 '17 at 09:47
  • Some non-count nouns can take the indefinite article, but I don't think "courage" does. "Fluency" can in _There was a noticeable **fluency** in the way he spoke_. There are a very few non-count nouns where "a" can combine with a non-count singular noun, for example _Ed has a good **knowledge** of Latin_; _We wasted a great **deal** of time_; _A **number** of problems have arisen_; _I have a high **regard** for them_, and one or two others. – BillJ Aug 16 '17 at 10:21
  • 2
    Possible duplicate of [Does an uncountable noun take an article if it has an adjective before it?](https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/16694/does-an-uncountable-noun-take-an-article-if-it-has-an-adjective-before-it) – Laurel Aug 16 '17 at 12:50
  • Michael Swan: With certain uncountable nouns - especially nouns referring to human emotions and mental activity - we often use a/an when we are limiting their meaning in some way. _We need a secretary with a first-class knowledge of German. (NOT ... with first-class knowledge of German.)_ Note that these nouns cannot normally be used in the plural, and that **most uncountable nouns cannot be used with a/an at all, even when they have an adjective.** _My father enjoys very good health. (NOT ... a very good health) He speaks excellent English. (NOT ... an excellent English.)_ – Michael Login Aug 16 '17 at 20:01
  • 1
    I think Laurel is correct; I think [hunter's answer there](https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/16697/16251) about converting mass nouns to counting may be what is going on here. It's not that the adjective directly causes the change, but the adjective signals that there is a (possibly unstated) comparison happening, which converts what appears to be a mass noun to a countable. If "she shows a great fluency in English", that fluency must be great in comparison to something else--either her fluency in another language, or other people's fluency in English. – Matthew W Aug 17 '17 at 20:59
  • @BillJ I think instead of fluency you could also say courage: *There was a noticeable **courage** in the way he spoke.* But the context is different than in the question. – GregT Aug 23 '17 at 14:46

1 Answers1

3

There is a rule in Michael Swan's "Practical English Usage" (section 149.4):

With certain uncountable nouns – especially nouns referring to human emotions and mental activity – we often use a/an when we are limiting their meaning in some way (and we generally limit it by putting adjectives).

  • We need a secretary with a first-class knowledge of German (NOT...with first class knowledge of German ).
  • She has always had a deep distrust of strangers.
  • That child shows a surprising understanding of adult behaviour.
  • My parents wanted me to have a good education (NOT .... to have good education).
  • You've been a great help.
  • I need a good sleep.

Note that these nouns cannot normally be used in the plural, and that most uncountable nouns cannot be used with a/an at all, even when they have an adjective.

  • My father enjoys very good health. (NOT ... a very good health.)
  • We are having terrible weather. (NOT... a terrible weather.)
  • He speaks excellent English. (NOT ... an excellent English.)
  • It's interesting work (NOT ... an interesting work.)

Unfortunately this book does't show a list of such uncountable nouns which can/cannot be used with "a". But the Ngram Viewer shows that "fluency" is not used with "a". See the results of searching:

So, it would be better to say "She showed great fluency in English".

Lana
  • 261
  • 2
  • 6