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Thu 17 Jan, 2013 08:05 am
My intuition tells me that "by entreaty" sounds better. But grammatically, why hasn't it used "an entreaty"? Because we can have the sentence:
It was an urgent entreaty from the Cossack leader that made up his mind.
Context:
(Definition from an English dictionary)
inexorable
adj.
1. not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
@oristarA,
Not exactly sure what you are asking regarding that dictionary entry.
An was used in your sample sentence because its immediate placement next to urgent.
A would have been used if the sentence read, "It was
a grand entreaty...."
In this sentence, entreaty is a noun and means a petition.
Thank you.
I meant why not have used "an entreaty" but just "entreaty."
@oristarA,
If the definition was written like this:
not to be placated or appeased or moved by
an entreaty.
There will be no question to be asked here. "not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty" sounds better. That is, "an" can be omitted.
1. not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
This is a dictionary definition; entreaty is being used generically, and therefore does not require an indefinite article. Consider
Brave - not easily made afraid by danger or threat.
@oristarA,
As Punkey said, entreaty is being used as a noun in this sentence which needs that article or a preposition like by.
@oristarA,
Quote:But grammatically, why hasn't it used "an entreaty"?
The "An" is ok in your sentence Ori, because it implies a single entreaty
@PUNKEY,
Quote:In this sentence, entreaty is a noun and means a petition.
Or just a request, a serious and strongly-worded request, a plea.
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