Urgent REPLY.hehe
"... would like to ask assistance from your good office .."
Can it also be written or said as.. "... would like to ask an assistance from your good office .."? Why or why not? Thanks! :)
Take note: There is an article 'an'.
Hello to the both of you.
Well, semantics has nothing to do with this. I am just curious on where to use the article 'an'. In the above case, the article 'an', as far as I know, shouldn't be used. However, I just don't know why it shouldn't be used.
P.S. The above is an excerpt of my letter to be sent to the vice chancellor of our university.
Thanks! :)Elliot, so does it mean that you only use the article 'an' on count nouns?

Question

Urgent REPLY.hehe
"... would like to ask assistance from your good office .."
Can it also be written or said as.. "... would like to ask an assistance from your good office .."? Why or why not? Thanks! :)
Take note: There is an article 'an'.
Hello to the both of you. 
Well, semantics has nothing to do with this. I am just curious on where to use the article 'an'. In the above case, the article 'an', as far as I know, shouldn't be used. However, I just don't know why it shouldn't be used.
P.S. The above is an excerpt of my letter to be sent to the vice chancellor of our university.
Thanks! :)Elliot, so does it mean that you only use the article 'an' on count nouns?

Answer

1. You CANNOT use the indefinite articles "a/an" with UNCOUNTABLE nouns. 
uncountable noun: "advice"

Correct:  I need advice.
Incorrect: I need AN advice.

*Because there is no plural form for an uncountable noun, there is technically no use to say "a / an." It is similar to saying "one."

**You CAN say "some" with uncountable nouns, because it can be used to demonstrate any quantity that is not countable in numbers. 
(Examples: some advice, some water, etc.)

2. You MUST use indefinite articles with COUNTABLE nouns.
countable noun: "plate"

Correct: Can you pass me A plate? 
Incorrect: Can you pass me plate?

Source: myself, American English

Answer

Yes, Eliot is correct. Now, I am curious to know what a "good office" is or what you intended to say. Can you please explain?

Answer

No, you can't! "Assistance" is uncountable! Is that reason enough?

Answers · 3

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