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I have a problem understanding usage of articles before abstract nouns. There are a couple of rules I found:

  • Use articles with uncountable abstract nouns to refer to a specific feeling: a deep distrust, an everlasting love, the love of music

  • We only use an article before an abstract noun if we wish to talk about a specific type of the noun

Could you please explain, why the following sentences are correct (they are from a textbook):

1) However, it ends with great optimism. - it seems to me like a specific feeling that requires an indefinite article

2) Would you like to experience the deep sense of satisfaction you get from creating your own original work - why do we use the article before deep sense, not an indefinite article a or no article?

3) She brought me up in relative peace and security - why don't we need any article before peace and security?

4) I was overwhelmed by the excitement of such an adventure - why do we need the here?

Thank you for your help in advance!

Konstantin
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    #1 great is a determiner. #2 it's a specific 'deep sense ...' (the sort "you get from ..."). #3 relative is a determiner. #4 it's a particular aspect of the adventure. – Lawrence Apr 01 '17 at 17:58
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    These articles on determiners might also be helpful: wikipedia, LearnEnglish. – Lawrence Apr 01 '17 at 17:59
  • @Lawrence Thank you very much for your reply! Could you please clarify the difference of using a or the articles before abstract nouns? – Konstantin Apr 01 '17 at 18:05
  • @Lawrence Why everlasting in a phrase an everlasting love isn't a determiner? – Konstantin Apr 01 '17 at 18:08
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    This isn't directly to do with abstract nouns. // (2) and (4) include postmodification of the noun, making it specific (cf the man I saw; the loss I felt). // (1) Could use 'a', but that would be a more literary / formal style. Non-count nouns don't usually take the indefinite article. See the duplicate. // (3) 'in peace' is a prepositional phrase, and collocation. – Edwin Ashworth Apr 01 '17 at 18:30
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    @Konstantin I'm not sure (try asking one of the linguists here) - maybe something to do with it being an adjective, or perhaps the phrase has 2 determiners. Have a look at the following sections in the wikipedia link: "Combinations of determiners" and "Determiners and adjectives". – Lawrence Apr 02 '17 at 13:17

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