Imagination can't be counted. But I have seen some people using the indefinite article in front of imagination.
For example, "Everyone has an imagination."
What makes that correct, grammatically?
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Can you cite a reference or dictionary definition that says "imagination can't be counted"?– user140086Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 6:02
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Have you checked a good dictionary?– KrisCommented Jul 6, 2016 at 6:13
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Coffee can't be counted. But I'm about to have a coffee. Or two. // Certain dictionaries are better than others in this area. Check OALD for at least one clear example of the count usage. But also be aware that even non-count nouns occasionally accept the indefinite article (The representative spoke at the meeting yesterday with an enormous enthusiasm. / The representative spoke at the meeting yesterday with enormous enthusiasm. / *The representative spoke at the meetings last week with enormous enthusiasms.)– Edwin AshworthCommented Jul 6, 2016 at 6:39
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1 Answer
Imagination - the ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.
Because someone has an ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful, one therefore also has an imagination.
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1An answer needs to have authoritative references to be of real value. Also, the count / non-count issue has been addressed at length here before. Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 6:46
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Using the example of "an ability" to argue for the correctness of "an imagination" is plainly unsupportable. If I have many mental abilities, it doesn't follow that I have many imaginations. Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 9:27