Articles in feelings and abstract words

Question

Is it correct to say "I felt the pain and the sorrow"? Do abstract words have got article?

Answer 1

"I felt the pain and the sorrow distinctive of every war."

That English sentence is fine as written. You could also leave out the second "the." The first "the" can serve for both nouns.

But Moe is right: whether the definite article is called for depends on context. As a general rule, you use "the" before an abstract noun in English when focusing on a specific instance of that abstract entity. That focus is often achieved via a qualifying phrase such as "distinctive of every war" in your example sentence. That phrase narrows the focus to that exact kind, source, or instance of pain and sorrow.

Another example: "The forthrightness that you showed in the interview won you the position." "That you showed in the interview" narrows the focus to a specific instance of forthrightness. You would not use "the" in the following sentence, as it is not focusing on a specific instance: "Forthrightness is a quality to be desired in an employee." In this sentence we are referring to forthrightness in general, not a specific instance or kind of it.

The use of articles with abstract nouns is rather nuanced, and sometimes, but not always, it is a matter of preference.

Thanks for the info. :) - CursedCommoner, May 8, 2014

Answer 2

If you are asking about the English language, then, it could be just as correct to say

"I felt pain and sorrow"

Which is most correct will depend on the context or the sentence(s) before and after this one. Are you able to give us one or two of the sentences before "I felt the pain and the sorrow."?  

 
  On the other hand if you are asking about the same sentence in Spanish, then, you do need to include the definite articles.
 
 
Saludos/Best regards,
Moe

"I felt the pain and the sorrow distinctive of every war." Don't know, something like that. - CursedCommoner, May 8, 2014

Yeah, I was asking about the English language, because in Spanish you can use or not the articles. I can say: «Sentí dolor y tristeza» or «Sentí el dolor y la tristeza», but I can't say: «Sentí dolor y tristeza distintivos de toda guerra.» - CursedCommoner, May 8, 2014

Answer 3

Yes that's correct but your last question could use some work: "Do abstract words need articles?" would be better.

Thanks for the correction. - CursedCommoner, May 8, 2014

Your welcome, I hope people will do the same for me. - Kiwaiano, May 9, 2014