Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[schlitzohr]

Hi,

Can the uncountable noun "attention" be used with an indefinite article in a phrase like "an attention to detail", e.g. in a sentence like "An attention to detail has made this town a good place for tourists."? Is there any reference about this problem?

Thank you kindly for your answer,
schlitzohr

[Mister Micawber]

.
Welcome to Dave's, schlitzor, and an interesting question.

First of all, Mr Google gives us 204,000 pages of 'an attention to detail' (vs 17.6 million for the phrase without the article), so it must have some currency.

Personally, I would say that an attention to detail is acceptable on the basis of its possessing a sort of post-modification that defines a kind of attention, which would make the countable usage of the same sort as in the case of a transient beauty, an imperfect knowledge, etc-- i.e. types of attentions, beauties, knowledges.
.

[schlitzohr]

A great many thanks, Mister Micawber. Dave's ESL Cafe looks like a cool place to me!