I need to know why 'a' is omitted before headache in the below sentence.
Although he has undergone a very costly treatment, he has not been cured of a headache.
Correct - cured of headache.
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1Buy we say. I have a headache. I'm right?– Yasin KhanCommented Jan 24, 2021 at 10:02
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2I was cured of a headache last month, but I have not been cured of my headache this time. Last month is not specified, this time is.– PeterCommented Jan 24, 2021 at 10:07
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1Actually, here, headache is uncountable: it's used as the name of a condition, in the same way as the word epilepsy might occur in that position.– Andrew Leach ♦Commented Jan 24, 2021 at 10:33
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2Who says it should be omitted?– Hot LicksCommented Jan 24, 2021 at 13:18
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1"cured of headache" sounds wrong to me. "cured of headaches" suggests a permanent cure. "cured of the headache" would be specific to the headache that the treatment was targeted at.– BarmarCommented Jan 25, 2021 at 19:30
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1 Answer
I can't find a dictionary mentioning it but there is little doubt that "headache" is both countable and uncountable, which explains the use with no article in a non-plural context.
(Lexico) (not mentioned) You will find one instance of uncountable use.
(OALD) (not mentioned, which according to this dictionary is an indication that the word is only countable; it could be an omission.)
