Extra drills were ordered as [a] punishment for the disorderly soldiers.

Question

Hello.Should we place 'a' before 'punishment' in the sentence below?Extra drills were ordered as [a] punishment for the disorderly soldiers.I think it comes down to whether 'punishment' is countable or uncountable in this context, but it is hard for me to figure it out.I looked it up in the dictionary and found contradictory results:1) On the one hand I found such phrases:as punishment for breaking the windowas punishment, they were sent to bed2) But on the other hand I found this setence:He was sent to his room as a punishment.For me, 'punishment' in both 1) and 2) means similar concept, thus both should be either countable or uncountable. Could you please help with this?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Both are possible.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Most of the time, we mean punishment as a general concept (penalty for disobeying some law or rule) and omit the indefinite article. It's not wrong to use the indefinite article for a specific instance or specific action.

CalifJim · Answer

ReegisShould we place 'a' before 'punishment' in the sentence below?

We? Have you got a mouse in your pocket?

You should use "a" if you are thinking of 'punishment' as countable. In your own mind when you say it, are you thinking that this is one of several possible punishments that could have been administered to the soldiers? Then use "a".

You should not use "a" if you are thinking of 'punishment' as uncountable. In your own mind when you say it, are you thinking that what the soldiers deserved (in a general way) was some retribution for being disorderly? Then don't use "a".

This isn't a matter of grammatical correctness. It's a matter of your translating your thoughts into words.

CJ

Reegis · Answer

Thanks Clive, AlpheccaStars and CalifJim for your answers.

CalifJimWe? Have you got a mouse in your pocket?

I don't understand what you mean here... What I meant by 'we' is what people (in general) place in such sentences to make it correct. But I am sure you got this

CalifJimYou should use "a" if you are thinking of 'punishment' as countable. In your own mind when you say it, are you thinking that this is one of several possible punishments that could have been administered to the soldiers? Then use "a".You should not use "a" if you are thinking of 'punishment' as uncountable. In your own mind when you say it, are you thinking that what the soldiers deserved (in a general way) was some retribution for being disorderly? Then don't use "a".This isn't a matter of grammatical correctness. It's a matter of your translating your thoughts into words.

This explains a lot! Previously I had no idea about it. It seems now I am on a new level of understanding articles

AlpheccaStars · Answer

ReegisCalifJimWe? Have you got a mouse in your pocket?I don't understand what you mean here...

It's an old joke. You alone would be "I." You and the mouse would be "we."

Reegis · Answer

AlpheccaStars, ahhh, I am not familiar with English jokes... but now it makes sense

CalifJim, you joker you...

(I am not sure if this is a good way to express my intentions, but I remember this phrase from somewhere

)

Extra drills were ordered as [a] punishment for the disorderly soldiers.

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬