0I used to believe that, in general, I should use a singular countable noun with an article. However, reading one book talking about articles, I started to get myself confused whether or not an article should be really omitted (= should not be used) in the cases as follows:02br 02br 001. This one smells like01b00 old dog02b00. (not "an old dog"?)02br 002. It tastes like 01b00apple02b00./It tastes something like 01b00apple02b00. (not "an apple"?)02br 003. You may put 01b00pineapple02b00 on your pizza.02br 004. Add 01b00carrot02b00 and 01b00onion02b00 after heating the pan. 02br 02br 00Well, according to the author of this book, he says that "an article is not necessary if the noun specified is not recognized as having its original form."02br 02br 00As for the above 3 and 4, I kind of understand why "a/an" cannot be used--because we do not mean that we put/add a whole pineapple, carrot, or onion. However, even so, I still have doubts if it is okay to leave the nouns (pineapple/carrot/onion) without any articles or making them plural instead.02br 02br 00Professional teachers/native speakers, please help me clear this problem.0-
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0 To me, in all these examples singular nouns denote a substance rather than a thing. : Anyway, I'd use "an old dog" for #1... because...
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0 To me, in all these examples singular nouns denote a substance rather than a thing. That's why indefinite articles are omitted.02br 02br 00P.S.: Anyway, I'd use "an old dog" for #1... because... it doesn't make much sense to speak of the substance (matter) of an old dog. 0-
01cite10Ant_22212cite10To me, in all these examples singular nouns denote a substance rather than a thing. That's why indefinite articles are omitted. P.S.: Anyway, I'd use "an old dog" for #1... because... it doesn't make much sense to speak of the substance (matter) of an old dog.12blockquote
0So, do you mean that you would not use an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4 but would use it for #1?02br 00Is it wrong if I used an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4?0-
0 «So, do you mean that you would not use an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4 but would use it for #1?»02br 02br 00Yes.02br 02br 00«Is it wrong if I used an article ("a/an") for #2 to #4?»02br 02br 00No, but the sentences would assume slightly different meanings. For example:02br 02br 00«Add a carrot and an onion after