The Use of Articles with Uncountable Abstract Nouns
Abstract nouns may be countable and uncountable.
Countable abstract nouns include such nouns as answer, sentence, effort, holiday, word, plan, opinion, job, fact, story, etc.
Uncountable abstract nouns include such nouns as beauty, freedom, happiness, respect, love, time, work, excitement, etc.
Many abstract nouns can be used both as countable and uncountable nouns (sometimes in different meanings):
Work - работа a work - произведение
Silence - тишина, молчание a silence - пауза
Experience – опыт an experience – случай из жизни
Grammar – грамматика a grammar – учебник по грамматике
Society – общество a society – организация, кружок
Kindness – доброта kindness – доброе дело
Decision – решительность, решимость a decision - решение
Light – свет a light – источник света, огонек
Note. The nouns comfort, relief, pity, pleasure, shame, disappointment and some others are used with the indefinite article after the exclamatory what and after it is (was):
It is a pleasure to see you.
It was a relief to know that she was already home.
What a pity!
As a general rule, uncountable abstract nouns are used without any article:
Indifference and pride look very much alike.
She had attached herself to youth and hope and seriousness and now they failed her more than age and despair.
2. Uncountable abstract nouns are used with the definite article when they are modified by a limiting attribute, or when the limitation is clear from the context:
He was in a state of the greatest excitement.
For a long time they walked without saying a word. Jim was the first to break the silence.
3. Uncountable abstract nouns are used with the indefinite article when they are modified by a descriptive attribute which brings out a special aspect of the notion expressed by the noun:
A dull anger rose in her chest.
His face had a calmness that was new to her.
The violets filled the air with a wild fresh sweetness.
She had a natural grace that was very attractive.
There was a bitterness in her voice. (a bitterness = a certain bitterness)
The use of the indefinite article with uncountable abstract nouns is typical of literary style.
4. No article is used when an uncountable abstract noun is modified by attributes expressing
degree (great, perfect, sufficient, huge, tremendous, immense, sheer, utter, complete, infinite, endless, major, etc),
time ( modern, ancient, impending, eternal, daily, contemporary, final, original),
nationality (English, French, etc.),
geography ( Moscow, London, world, etc.),
authenticity (real, genuine, authentic, false, symbolic, etc.),
social characteristic (bourgeois, capitalist, racial, religious, etc.).
I have perfect confidence in him.
She has great experience in her work.
I'm sure your work will give you complete satisfaction.
I didn't think it had real importance.
They talked about modern poetry.
It's three o'clock by Moscow time.
Ron was particularly interested in ancient sculpture.
Note. But the definite article is used with the combinations French poetry, modern art, American literature, German philosophy, etc. if there is a limiting attribute, as in: the Russian literature of that period, the French poetry of the 19th century, etc.
5. Some nouns are never used with the indefinite article. Here refer the nouns advice, applause,, assistance, concern, information, permission, progress, research, work, fun, health, luck, money, news, bread, weather, furniture, music, nonsense, equipment, scenery, luggage, evidence and some others.
I am not sure whether it is good news or bad.
He was anxiously waiting for permission to begin his experiment.