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Being Russian, I am having a fairly hard time understanding the concept of articles usage in various situations. Also it is hard to find truly elaborate manuals online. So here I would like to give an example that I find unclear.

1) In fact, in one zoo, questions of animal safety arose when two red pandas were found dead after being exposed to rat poison. (Why is there no article required here before "rat poison"? Is it because the poison is an uncountable noun?)

2) Let's talk about spoilers: why 'spoiler culture' is demeaning to the real power and beauty of film. (Why is there an article before "real power" here? I would assume that the word power is also uncountable)

Thank you!

CHILLQQ
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  • I think GoDuck's answer at the linked question is probably the most helpful. A specific power will have the definite article; a generic batch of poison won't. – Andrew Leach May 06 '19 at 15:29
  • Not sure I agree with the bit at the end of GoDuck's answer, where the experience I had at work today is said to be an exception to the general rule. In this post, it's the of film that forces the the. If you could be demeaning to power and beauty as abstract concepts, you would be able to say demeaning to power and beauty, without the the. –  May 06 '19 at 17:21

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