“What a relief?” – Why do we need an article?












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“Oxford learners Dictionary” states that “relief” (at least when it means removal of anxiety/pain) is an uncountable noun. Then why do we use the indefinite article in this phrase? Are there any other phrases where “relief” requires an article?










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    1














    “Oxford learners Dictionary” states that “relief” (at least when it means removal of anxiety/pain) is an uncountable noun. Then why do we use the indefinite article in this phrase? Are there any other phrases where “relief” requires an article?










    share|improve this question

























      1












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      1







      “Oxford learners Dictionary” states that “relief” (at least when it means removal of anxiety/pain) is an uncountable noun. Then why do we use the indefinite article in this phrase? Are there any other phrases where “relief” requires an article?










      share|improve this question













      “Oxford learners Dictionary” states that “relief” (at least when it means removal of anxiety/pain) is an uncountable noun. Then why do we use the indefinite article in this phrase? Are there any other phrases where “relief” requires an article?







      articles usage






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      asked 4 hours ago









      Zak

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      35219






















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          The full Oxford Dictionaries entry includes the countable-noun meaning of 'relief':




          Relief (noun)



          1.1 count noun

          A cause of or occasion for relief.

          ‘it was a relief to find somewhere to stay’




          Relief (Oxford Dictionaries)



          Its use with an article is shown, but not explained, in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary:




          News of their safety came as a great relief.

          It was a relief to be able to talk to someone about it.

          What a relief!







          share|improve this answer





























            3














            "Relief" can mean the end of pain or discomfort (uncountable), or the thing that brought about that end (countable). It's used both ways.






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              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes








              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              3














              The full Oxford Dictionaries entry includes the countable-noun meaning of 'relief':




              Relief (noun)



              1.1 count noun

              A cause of or occasion for relief.

              ‘it was a relief to find somewhere to stay’




              Relief (Oxford Dictionaries)



              Its use with an article is shown, but not explained, in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary:




              News of their safety came as a great relief.

              It was a relief to be able to talk to someone about it.

              What a relief!







              share|improve this answer


























                3














                The full Oxford Dictionaries entry includes the countable-noun meaning of 'relief':




                Relief (noun)



                1.1 count noun

                A cause of or occasion for relief.

                ‘it was a relief to find somewhere to stay’




                Relief (Oxford Dictionaries)



                Its use with an article is shown, but not explained, in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary:




                News of their safety came as a great relief.

                It was a relief to be able to talk to someone about it.

                What a relief!







                share|improve this answer
























                  3












                  3








                  3






                  The full Oxford Dictionaries entry includes the countable-noun meaning of 'relief':




                  Relief (noun)



                  1.1 count noun

                  A cause of or occasion for relief.

                  ‘it was a relief to find somewhere to stay’




                  Relief (Oxford Dictionaries)



                  Its use with an article is shown, but not explained, in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary:




                  News of their safety came as a great relief.

                  It was a relief to be able to talk to someone about it.

                  What a relief!







                  share|improve this answer












                  The full Oxford Dictionaries entry includes the countable-noun meaning of 'relief':




                  Relief (noun)



                  1.1 count noun

                  A cause of or occasion for relief.

                  ‘it was a relief to find somewhere to stay’




                  Relief (Oxford Dictionaries)



                  Its use with an article is shown, but not explained, in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary:




                  News of their safety came as a great relief.

                  It was a relief to be able to talk to someone about it.

                  What a relief!








                  share|improve this answer












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                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 4 hours ago









                  Michael Harvey

                  12.1k11228




                  12.1k11228

























                      3














                      "Relief" can mean the end of pain or discomfort (uncountable), or the thing that brought about that end (countable). It's used both ways.






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      Darth Pseudonym is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.























                        3














                        "Relief" can mean the end of pain or discomfort (uncountable), or the thing that brought about that end (countable). It's used both ways.






                        share|improve this answer








                        New contributor




                        Darth Pseudonym is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                        Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                          3












                          3








                          3






                          "Relief" can mean the end of pain or discomfort (uncountable), or the thing that brought about that end (countable). It's used both ways.






                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          Darth Pseudonym is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.









                          "Relief" can mean the end of pain or discomfort (uncountable), or the thing that brought about that end (countable). It's used both ways.







                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          Darth Pseudonym is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.









                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer






                          New contributor




                          Darth Pseudonym is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.









                          answered 4 hours ago









                          Darth Pseudonym

                          2463




                          2463




                          New contributor




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                          New contributor





                          Darth Pseudonym is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.






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