Question
Updated on
9 Dec 2022
- Japanese
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English (US)
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English (UK)
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German
Question about English (US)
Love is a mystery.
Is this grammatically correct?
What I want to ask is when a subject (love) is uncountable, whether "a" is needed or not in front of the complement which is countable (mystery).
If "a" is not needed or not appropriate, "the" is needed instead? Or, is nothing needed?
Love is a mystery.
Is this grammatically correct?
What I want to ask is when a subject (love) is uncountable, whether "a" is needed or not in front of the complement which is countable (mystery).
If "a" is not needed or not appropriate, "the" is needed instead? Or, is nothing needed?
Is this grammatically correct?
What I want to ask is when a subject (love) is uncountable, whether "a" is needed or not in front of the complement which is countable (mystery).
If "a" is not needed or not appropriate, "the" is needed instead? Or, is nothing needed?
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9 Dec 2022
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- English (US)
- Japanese
- English (US)
- Japanese
- English (US)
"Love is mystery" is technically correct, since mystery is both countable and uncountable. "A mystery" is something that is difficult to understand or solve, while "mystery" is the quality of mysteriousness.
Saying that love = mystery is very dramatic, though. I think you communicated the right meaning the first time, I'm just clarifying.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@Cranberry48
Thanks!
So, when a complement is countable, the complement must need "a" even if the subject is uncountable, right?
Thanks!
So, when a complement is countable, the complement must need "a" even if the subject is uncountable, right?
- English (UK)
- English (US)
@watakenchan No, that is not the reason. Love is mystery and love is a mystery are both correct because the word mystery, like the word love, can be both countable or uncountable. However, as Cranberry48 described, "love is mystery" wouldn't make semantic sense. This is not a grammatical rule, it would just be an odd thing to say.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@Gezzza
Thanks. I understand love is mystery and love is a mystery are both correct.
But, the "love, mystery" is just an
example. I do not have another good example for now, but my essential question is, generally, when a complement is countable, the complement must need "a" even if the subject is uncountable.
Thanks. I understand love is mystery and love is a mystery are both correct.
But, the "love, mystery" is just an
example. I do not have another good example for now, but my essential question is, generally, when a complement is countable, the complement must need "a" even if the subject is uncountable.
- English (US)
@watakenchan If I'm understanding correctly, this is what you're asking:
- Given an uncountable noun that describes a quality like "mystery," "liquid," or "kindness," does putting "a" in front of that word turn it into a single example of that quality? As in "love is a mystery," "water is a liquid," and "giving is a kindness (this is incorrect)"
I think the answer is that it depends on the word. "Mystery" is a special case where I think "mystery" and "a mystery" really are different words (at least, that is how it sounds to me).
For certain words that describe measurable qualities like height, weight, texture, strength, rate, brightness, etc. (and lots of word that end with -ness), you can use "a" or "the":
- "Texture is important to consider" / "I like the texture of this one" (the texture = the type of texture)
- "Elevation is easy to measure" / "Our elevation right now is 1200ft from sea level" (the elevation = the measurement of elevation)
- "Strength is subjective" / "My strength is decreasing" (my strength = my amount of strength)
For a lot of uncountable, physical things like liquid, sand, and fruit, using "a" or "the" means "a type of" or "the type of":
- "I like coffee" / "I buy the ground coffee that they sell on shelves at Starbucks" (the coffee that... = the type of coffee that...)
- "Liquid flows" / "Honey is a liquid that flows very slowly"
Here are examples of words you can't add "a" or "the" to:
- (emotions) happiness, confusion, depression, discomfort
- (other qualities of people) kindness, sleepiness
There are probably many more rules, but these are the first ones that I could think of. In general, you can't break these rules and add "a" or "the" to words that are uncountable, nor the reverse.
Sorry for the long answer, I got a little carried away... Hope it helps though!
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@Cranberry48
Thank you so much for your long answer! It helps me so much!
Japanese language does not care countable or uncountable, so English is a novel culture for me.
Thank you so much for your long answer! It helps me so much!
Japanese language does not care countable or uncountable, so English is a novel culture for me.
- English (US)
@watakenchan Of course! :D I definitely get that. 助数詞 are just as mysterious to me.
Highly-rated answerer
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