Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Feb 5, 2004 18:34
20 yrs ago
English term
Lithuania
Translator/Journalist/Voiceover Pro
Native in: Russian (Variants: Standard-Belarus, Standard-Ukraine, Standard-Russia, Standard-Latvia, Standard-Lithuania) 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian
a deep love
English
Other
Grammar
Gabor Szabo is one of the most original guitarists to emerge in the 1960s, mixing his Hungarian folk music heritage with a deep love of jazz and crafting a distinctive sound.
_______________________
Is it necessary to use an indefinite article here?
_______________________
Is it necessary to use an indefinite article here?
Responses
| 4 +16 | a deep love |
Kim Metzger
|
| 4 +3 | I certainly would |
David Moore (X)
|
| 3 +4 | Another attempt! |
David Knowles
|
| 5 | a deep love |
NancyLynn
|
Responses
+16
3 mins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
&
English
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
2249
Selected
a deep love
Yes, Nikita, it's necessary to keep the indefinite article here. Although "love" is an abstract noun that normally takes no article, in this case we're talking about a particular kind of love. A long-lasting love. An abiding love, etc.
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Note added at 42 mins (2004-02-05 19:16:20 GMT)
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Maybe this addresses the issue:
From \"The Grammar Book\" Celce-Murcia and Diane Freeman: \" As an extension of our simplified two-feature analysis (mass-count distinction), we shall discuss some mass-to-count shifts that commonly occur in English. There are, for example, some abstract mass nouns that can be made more concrete by treating them as countables (e.g. \'life\') without a substantial difference in meaning. The rule here is that such a noun, when used with an article, denotes \"an instance of\" the mass noun in question, and it functions as a countable noun. Other nouns in this category are beauty, truth, crime, law, education etc. With their dual mass-count function they can be used in every slot in the paradigm:
COUNT: The life of the old man was forfeited.
A life is not proper payment for that.
MASS: Life can be difficult at times. Some life could be detected in the old man.
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Note added at 42 mins (2004-02-05 19:16:20 GMT)
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Maybe this addresses the issue:
From \"The Grammar Book\" Celce-Murcia and Diane Freeman: \" As an extension of our simplified two-feature analysis (mass-count distinction), we shall discuss some mass-to-count shifts that commonly occur in English. There are, for example, some abstract mass nouns that can be made more concrete by treating them as countables (e.g. \'life\') without a substantial difference in meaning. The rule here is that such a noun, when used with an article, denotes \"an instance of\" the mass noun in question, and it functions as a countable noun. Other nouns in this category are beauty, truth, crime, law, education etc. With their dual mass-count function they can be used in every slot in the paradigm:
COUNT: The life of the old man was forfeited.
A life is not proper payment for that.
MASS: Life can be difficult at times. Some life could be detected in the old man.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ana Juliá
1 min
|
| agree |
JH Trads
: good explanation
4 mins
|
| agree |
hookmv
6 mins
|
| agree |
Enza Longo
11 mins
|
| agree |
David Knowles
: but ... it's "a love of jazz" even without an adjective. Perhaps it's the "of jazz" that forces the indefinite article. In fact it must be: "He treated his listeners with deep love and respect."
11 mins
|
| agree |
Patricia Baldwin
27 mins
|
| agree |
rene_teews
2 hrs
|
| agree |
RHELLER
: we could also say "mixing HIS deep love of jazz"
3 hrs
|
| agree |
Joy Christensen
: This says that those nouns normally are without an article, but can be used both ways, and with an article they've been made more concrete - by option.
4 hrs
|
| agree |
NancyLynn
4 hrs
|
| agree |
Kardi Kho
: Excellent explanation...fascinating book!
5 hrs
|
| agree |
Nado2002
5 hrs
|
| agree |
Rajan Chopra
7 hrs
|
| agree |
Chris Rowson (X)
14 hrs
|
| agree |
vixen
15 hrs
|
| agree |
mportal
: I think that here 'a' expresses the idea of something more concrete because it is general, something he shares with others. It would sound odd to say 'with deep love of jazz' in this context.
4 days
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to all with special thanks coming to
David Knowles."
+3
3 mins
I certainly would
It sounds to me incomplete otherwise
3 mins
a deep love
yes, a love of music is the phrase, and the indefinite article "a" is necessary.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Joy Christensen
: Love of music drove young people in hordes to the concert halls.
4 hrs
|
+4
1 hr
David Knowles
Native in English
&
English
Specialist in Civil Law & Contracts
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, English, Ukrainian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
612
Another attempt!
This is to give more space for musings!
When she saw the baby, love filled her heart (but "a love" is possible).
When she saw the baby, (a) deep love filled her heart. (either)
What is love? (no article possible)
Love of music has been a constant feature in his life.
The love of music influenced his choice of Paris as a place to work.
A love of music pervaded his whole life.
The melting snow froze overnight. (specific)
A powdery snow was falling. (a kind of snow)
Snow is fun for children. (completely abstract - no particular fall)
What can we deduce?
Completely abstract statements have no article.
When you start to specify a time or place, or a type of thing, articles become possible, but not necessarily obligatory.
If I think of any other wise observations, I'll add them, but I despair of finding a complete rule!
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Note added at 1 hr 9 mins (2004-02-05 19:43:26 GMT)
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Kim has found a good reference, and I think it may help. I\'ll shut up!
When she saw the baby, love filled her heart (but "a love" is possible).
When she saw the baby, (a) deep love filled her heart. (either)
What is love? (no article possible)
Love of music has been a constant feature in his life.
The love of music influenced his choice of Paris as a place to work.
A love of music pervaded his whole life.
The melting snow froze overnight. (specific)
A powdery snow was falling. (a kind of snow)
Snow is fun for children. (completely abstract - no particular fall)
What can we deduce?
Completely abstract statements have no article.
When you start to specify a time or place, or a type of thing, articles become possible, but not necessarily obligatory.
If I think of any other wise observations, I'll add them, but I despair of finding a complete rule!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 9 mins (2004-02-05 19:43:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Kim has found a good reference, and I think it may help. I\'ll shut up!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Joy Christensen
: those are some good examples!
3 hrs
|
| agree |
NancyLynn
3 hrs
|
| agree |
Nado2002
4 hrs
|
| agree |
Rajan Chopra
6 hrs
|
Discussion