Looking for name of rule regarding indefinite article












0















In the following sentence (which I took from a random article): "A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'", I would like to know what grammatical rule dictates the the article should appear before the noun ("fact") referring to another noun previously mentioned. I know this is the correct usage, I just need the terminology in order to show someone else this is right.
Thanks!










share|improve this question









New contributor




Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • I think the rule is in the air around us.

    – Hot Licks
    59 mins ago
















0















In the following sentence (which I took from a random article): "A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'", I would like to know what grammatical rule dictates the the article should appear before the noun ("fact") referring to another noun previously mentioned. I know this is the correct usage, I just need the terminology in order to show someone else this is right.
Thanks!










share|improve this question









New contributor




Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • I think the rule is in the air around us.

    – Hot Licks
    59 mins ago














0












0








0








In the following sentence (which I took from a random article): "A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'", I would like to know what grammatical rule dictates the the article should appear before the noun ("fact") referring to another noun previously mentioned. I know this is the correct usage, I just need the terminology in order to show someone else this is right.
Thanks!










share|improve this question









New contributor




Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












In the following sentence (which I took from a random article): "A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'", I would like to know what grammatical rule dictates the the article should appear before the noun ("fact") referring to another noun previously mentioned. I know this is the correct usage, I just need the terminology in order to show someone else this is right.
Thanks!







grammar






share|improve this question









New contributor




Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 5 hours ago







Ruth













New contributor




Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 5 hours ago









RuthRuth

12




12




New contributor




Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Ruth is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • I think the rule is in the air around us.

    – Hot Licks
    59 mins ago



















  • I think the rule is in the air around us.

    – Hot Licks
    59 mins ago

















I think the rule is in the air around us.

– Hot Licks
59 mins ago





I think the rule is in the air around us.

– Hot Licks
59 mins ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















0














Just from looking at the extract, it's clear that you have cited the compound subject of a sentence, but no predicate:




'A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade' + predicate [is ...]




[implied correlative conjunction 'and']




a fact known as the 'disposition effect' + predicate [is ...]




Now I don't know whether this has a specific grammatical name, but I think you'll find that the 'put 'a' first, then subsequently refer to the substantive using 'the'' rule works across two separate sentences or clauses.*



Rhetorically, in the context of the full sentence in which it appears, the second part is a parenthesis, a form of hyperbaton (a word, phrase, or sentence inserted as an aside in a sentence complete in itself) [Richard A Lanham, A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms, Berkeley & LA, CA, University of California Press, 1991, 2nd Ed, p 108]. Lanham cites the following synonyms for the device: insertour, interclusio, interjectio, interpositio, parathesis, paremptosis.



You could, rhetorically, again, make it into a series of three, or tricolon (with a twist), although the contrast implied by 'yet' doesn't support the treatment, here's an example:




There is a fact about the way people trade.



It is a robust fact, yet a puzzling fact, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'.



It is a fact I know nothing at all about.




*Incidentally, this works differently in titles of fables. The title introduces the fable as a whole. We first meet the characters at the start of the telling.



As an example, from one of my versified versions of Aesopic fables from 'Aesop the Storyteller, London: Aladdins Cave Publishing, 2008', which serves to illustrate both points discussed here:



The Fox and the Grapes



In a time beyond our time,

In a land beyond our land,

A fox,

A brown fox,

A young fox,

A young, brown fox,

A naughty fox -

A fox who was used to getting what he wanted

And getting what he wanted exactly when he wanted it,

A fox who was used to taking what he wanted,

Whether others wanted him to or not

(Usually they didn't) - is sniffing the air.

This fox -

Today -

This young, brown fox -

Today -

This naughty fox -

Today -

Is HUNGRY!






share|improve this answer

























    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "97"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });






    Ruth is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f491534%2flooking-for-name-of-rule-regarding-indefinite-article%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes








    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    0














    Just from looking at the extract, it's clear that you have cited the compound subject of a sentence, but no predicate:




    'A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade' + predicate [is ...]




    [implied correlative conjunction 'and']




    a fact known as the 'disposition effect' + predicate [is ...]




    Now I don't know whether this has a specific grammatical name, but I think you'll find that the 'put 'a' first, then subsequently refer to the substantive using 'the'' rule works across two separate sentences or clauses.*



    Rhetorically, in the context of the full sentence in which it appears, the second part is a parenthesis, a form of hyperbaton (a word, phrase, or sentence inserted as an aside in a sentence complete in itself) [Richard A Lanham, A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms, Berkeley & LA, CA, University of California Press, 1991, 2nd Ed, p 108]. Lanham cites the following synonyms for the device: insertour, interclusio, interjectio, interpositio, parathesis, paremptosis.



    You could, rhetorically, again, make it into a series of three, or tricolon (with a twist), although the contrast implied by 'yet' doesn't support the treatment, here's an example:




    There is a fact about the way people trade.



    It is a robust fact, yet a puzzling fact, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'.



    It is a fact I know nothing at all about.




    *Incidentally, this works differently in titles of fables. The title introduces the fable as a whole. We first meet the characters at the start of the telling.



    As an example, from one of my versified versions of Aesopic fables from 'Aesop the Storyteller, London: Aladdins Cave Publishing, 2008', which serves to illustrate both points discussed here:



    The Fox and the Grapes



    In a time beyond our time,

    In a land beyond our land,

    A fox,

    A brown fox,

    A young fox,

    A young, brown fox,

    A naughty fox -

    A fox who was used to getting what he wanted

    And getting what he wanted exactly when he wanted it,

    A fox who was used to taking what he wanted,

    Whether others wanted him to or not

    (Usually they didn't) - is sniffing the air.

    This fox -

    Today -

    This young, brown fox -

    Today -

    This naughty fox -

    Today -

    Is HUNGRY!






    share|improve this answer






























      0














      Just from looking at the extract, it's clear that you have cited the compound subject of a sentence, but no predicate:




      'A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade' + predicate [is ...]




      [implied correlative conjunction 'and']




      a fact known as the 'disposition effect' + predicate [is ...]




      Now I don't know whether this has a specific grammatical name, but I think you'll find that the 'put 'a' first, then subsequently refer to the substantive using 'the'' rule works across two separate sentences or clauses.*



      Rhetorically, in the context of the full sentence in which it appears, the second part is a parenthesis, a form of hyperbaton (a word, phrase, or sentence inserted as an aside in a sentence complete in itself) [Richard A Lanham, A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms, Berkeley & LA, CA, University of California Press, 1991, 2nd Ed, p 108]. Lanham cites the following synonyms for the device: insertour, interclusio, interjectio, interpositio, parathesis, paremptosis.



      You could, rhetorically, again, make it into a series of three, or tricolon (with a twist), although the contrast implied by 'yet' doesn't support the treatment, here's an example:




      There is a fact about the way people trade.



      It is a robust fact, yet a puzzling fact, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'.



      It is a fact I know nothing at all about.




      *Incidentally, this works differently in titles of fables. The title introduces the fable as a whole. We first meet the characters at the start of the telling.



      As an example, from one of my versified versions of Aesopic fables from 'Aesop the Storyteller, London: Aladdins Cave Publishing, 2008', which serves to illustrate both points discussed here:



      The Fox and the Grapes



      In a time beyond our time,

      In a land beyond our land,

      A fox,

      A brown fox,

      A young fox,

      A young, brown fox,

      A naughty fox -

      A fox who was used to getting what he wanted

      And getting what he wanted exactly when he wanted it,

      A fox who was used to taking what he wanted,

      Whether others wanted him to or not

      (Usually they didn't) - is sniffing the air.

      This fox -

      Today -

      This young, brown fox -

      Today -

      This naughty fox -

      Today -

      Is HUNGRY!






      share|improve this answer




























        0












        0








        0







        Just from looking at the extract, it's clear that you have cited the compound subject of a sentence, but no predicate:




        'A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade' + predicate [is ...]




        [implied correlative conjunction 'and']




        a fact known as the 'disposition effect' + predicate [is ...]




        Now I don't know whether this has a specific grammatical name, but I think you'll find that the 'put 'a' first, then subsequently refer to the substantive using 'the'' rule works across two separate sentences or clauses.*



        Rhetorically, in the context of the full sentence in which it appears, the second part is a parenthesis, a form of hyperbaton (a word, phrase, or sentence inserted as an aside in a sentence complete in itself) [Richard A Lanham, A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms, Berkeley & LA, CA, University of California Press, 1991, 2nd Ed, p 108]. Lanham cites the following synonyms for the device: insertour, interclusio, interjectio, interpositio, parathesis, paremptosis.



        You could, rhetorically, again, make it into a series of three, or tricolon (with a twist), although the contrast implied by 'yet' doesn't support the treatment, here's an example:




        There is a fact about the way people trade.



        It is a robust fact, yet a puzzling fact, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'.



        It is a fact I know nothing at all about.




        *Incidentally, this works differently in titles of fables. The title introduces the fable as a whole. We first meet the characters at the start of the telling.



        As an example, from one of my versified versions of Aesopic fables from 'Aesop the Storyteller, London: Aladdins Cave Publishing, 2008', which serves to illustrate both points discussed here:



        The Fox and the Grapes



        In a time beyond our time,

        In a land beyond our land,

        A fox,

        A brown fox,

        A young fox,

        A young, brown fox,

        A naughty fox -

        A fox who was used to getting what he wanted

        And getting what he wanted exactly when he wanted it,

        A fox who was used to taking what he wanted,

        Whether others wanted him to or not

        (Usually they didn't) - is sniffing the air.

        This fox -

        Today -

        This young, brown fox -

        Today -

        This naughty fox -

        Today -

        Is HUNGRY!






        share|improve this answer















        Just from looking at the extract, it's clear that you have cited the compound subject of a sentence, but no predicate:




        'A robust but puzzling fact about the way people trade' + predicate [is ...]




        [implied correlative conjunction 'and']




        a fact known as the 'disposition effect' + predicate [is ...]




        Now I don't know whether this has a specific grammatical name, but I think you'll find that the 'put 'a' first, then subsequently refer to the substantive using 'the'' rule works across two separate sentences or clauses.*



        Rhetorically, in the context of the full sentence in which it appears, the second part is a parenthesis, a form of hyperbaton (a word, phrase, or sentence inserted as an aside in a sentence complete in itself) [Richard A Lanham, A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms, Berkeley & LA, CA, University of California Press, 1991, 2nd Ed, p 108]. Lanham cites the following synonyms for the device: insertour, interclusio, interjectio, interpositio, parathesis, paremptosis.



        You could, rhetorically, again, make it into a series of three, or tricolon (with a twist), although the contrast implied by 'yet' doesn't support the treatment, here's an example:




        There is a fact about the way people trade.



        It is a robust fact, yet a puzzling fact, a fact known as the 'disposition effect'.



        It is a fact I know nothing at all about.




        *Incidentally, this works differently in titles of fables. The title introduces the fable as a whole. We first meet the characters at the start of the telling.



        As an example, from one of my versified versions of Aesopic fables from 'Aesop the Storyteller, London: Aladdins Cave Publishing, 2008', which serves to illustrate both points discussed here:



        The Fox and the Grapes



        In a time beyond our time,

        In a land beyond our land,

        A fox,

        A brown fox,

        A young fox,

        A young, brown fox,

        A naughty fox -

        A fox who was used to getting what he wanted

        And getting what he wanted exactly when he wanted it,

        A fox who was used to taking what he wanted,

        Whether others wanted him to or not

        (Usually they didn't) - is sniffing the air.

        This fox -

        Today -

        This young, brown fox -

        Today -

        This naughty fox -

        Today -

        Is HUNGRY!







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 4 hours ago

























        answered 4 hours ago









        Leon ConradLeon Conrad

        3,33021124




        3,33021124






















            Ruth is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










            draft saved

            draft discarded


















            Ruth is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













            Ruth is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












            Ruth is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















            Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f491534%2flooking-for-name-of-rule-regarding-indefinite-article%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            Færeyskur hestur Heimild | Tengill | Tilvísanir | LeiðsagnarvalRossið - síða um færeyska hrossið á færeyskuGott ár hjá færeyska hestinum

            He _____ here since 1970 . Answer needed [closed]What does “since he was so high” mean?Meaning of “catch birds for”?How do I ensure “since” takes the meaning I want?“Who cares here” meaningWhat does “right round toward” mean?the time tense (had now been detected)What does the phrase “ring around the roses” mean here?Correct usage of “visited upon”Meaning of “foiled rail sabotage bid”It was the third time I had gone to Rome or It is the third time I had been to Rome

            Slayer Innehåll Historia | Stil, komposition och lyrik | Bandets betydelse och framgångar | Sidoprojekt och samarbeten | Kontroverser | Medlemmar | Utmärkelser och nomineringar | Turnéer och festivaler | Diskografi | Referenser | Externa länkar | Navigeringsmenywww.slayer.net”Metal Massacre vol. 1””Metal Massacre vol. 3””Metal Massacre Volume III””Show No Mercy””Haunting the Chapel””Live Undead””Hell Awaits””Reign in Blood””Reign in Blood””Gold & Platinum – Reign in Blood””Golden Gods Awards Winners”originalet”Kerrang! Hall Of Fame””Slayer Looks Back On 37-Year Career In New Video Series: Part Two””South of Heaven””Gold & Platinum – South of Heaven””Seasons in the Abyss””Gold & Platinum - Seasons in the Abyss””Divine Intervention””Divine Intervention - Release group by Slayer””Gold & Platinum - Divine Intervention””Live Intrusion””Undisputed Attitude””Abolish Government/Superficial Love””Release “Slatanic Slaughter: A Tribute to Slayer” by Various Artists””Diabolus in Musica””Soundtrack to the Apocalypse””God Hates Us All””Systematic - Relationships””War at the Warfield””Gold & Platinum - War at the Warfield””Soundtrack to the Apocalypse””Gold & Platinum - Still Reigning””Metallica, Slayer, Iron Mauden Among Winners At Metal Hammer Awards””Eternal Pyre””Eternal Pyre - Slayer release group””Eternal Pyre””Metal Storm Awards 2006””Kerrang! Hall Of Fame””Slayer Wins 'Best Metal' Grammy Award””Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dies””Bullet-For My Valentine booed at Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards””Unholy Aliance””The End Of Slayer?””Slayer: We Could Thrash Out Two More Albums If We're Fast Enough...””'The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III' UK Dates Added”originalet”Megadeth And Slayer To Co-Headline 'Canadian Carnage' Trek”originalet”World Painted Blood””Release “World Painted Blood” by Slayer””Metallica Heading To Cinemas””Slayer, Megadeth To Join Forces For 'European Carnage' Tour - Dec. 18, 2010”originalet”Slayer's Hanneman Contracts Acute Infection; Band To Bring In Guest Guitarist””Cannibal Corpse's Pat O'Brien Will Step In As Slayer's Guest Guitarist”originalet”Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman Dead at 49””Dave Lombardo Says He Made Only $67,000 In 2011 While Touring With Slayer””Slayer: We Do Not Agree With Dave Lombardo's Substance Or Timeline Of Events””Slayer Welcomes Drummer Paul Bostaph Back To The Fold””Slayer Hope to Unveil Never-Before-Heard Jeff Hanneman Material on Next Album””Slayer Debut New Song 'Implode' During Surprise Golden Gods Appearance””Release group Repentless by Slayer””Repentless - Slayer - Credits””Slayer””Metal Storm Awards 2015””Slayer - to release comic book "Repentless #1"””Slayer To Release 'Repentless' 6.66" Vinyl Box Set””BREAKING NEWS: Slayer Announce Farewell Tour””Slayer Recruit Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth + Testament for Final Tour””Slayer lägger ner efter 37 år””Slayer Announces Second North American Leg Of 'Final' Tour””Final World Tour””Slayer Announces Final European Tour With Lamb of God, Anthrax And Obituary””Slayer To Tour Europe With Lamb of God, Anthrax And Obituary””Slayer To Play 'Last French Show Ever' At Next Year's Hellfst””Slayer's Final World Tour Will Extend Into 2019””Death Angel's Rob Cavestany On Slayer's 'Farewell' Tour: 'Some Of Us Could See This Coming'””Testament Has No Plans To Retire Anytime Soon, Says Chuck Billy””Anthrax's Scott Ian On Slayer's 'Farewell' Tour Plans: 'I Was Surprised And I Wasn't Surprised'””Slayer””Slayer's Morbid Schlock””Review/Rock; For Slayer, the Mania Is the Message””Slayer - Biography””Slayer - Reign In Blood”originalet”Dave Lombardo””An exclusive oral history of Slayer”originalet”Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman”originalet”Thinking Out Loud: Slayer's Kerry King on hair metal, Satan and being polite””Slayer Lyrics””Slayer - Biography””Most influential artists for extreme metal music””Slayer - Reign in Blood””Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies aged 49””Slatanic Slaughter: A Tribute to Slayer””Gateway to Hell: A Tribute to Slayer””Covered In Blood””Slayer: The Origins of Thrash in San Francisco, CA.””Why They Rule - #6 Slayer”originalet”Guitar World's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time”originalet”The fans have spoken: Slayer comes out on top in readers' polls”originalet”Tribute to Jeff Hanneman (1964-2013)””Lamb Of God Frontman: We Sound Like A Slayer Rip-Off””BEHEMOTH Frontman Pays Tribute To SLAYER's JEFF HANNEMAN””Slayer, Hatebreed Doing Double Duty On This Year's Ozzfest””System of a Down””Lacuna Coil’s Andrea Ferro Talks Influences, Skateboarding, Band Origins + More””Slayer - Reign in Blood””Into The Lungs of Hell””Slayer rules - en utställning om fans””Slayer and Their Fans Slashed Through a No-Holds-Barred Night at Gas Monkey””Home””Slayer””Gold & Platinum - The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria””Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Kerry King””2008-02-23: Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA, USA””Slayer's Kerry King To Perform With Megadeth Tonight! - Oct. 21, 2010”originalet”Dave Lombardo - Biography”Slayer Case DismissedArkiveradUltimate Classic Rock: Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dead at 49.”Slayer: "We could never do any thing like Some Kind Of Monster..."””Cannibal Corpse'S Pat O'Brien Will Step In As Slayer'S Guest Guitarist | The Official Slayer Site”originalet”Slayer Wins 'Best Metal' Grammy Award””Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dies””Kerrang! Awards 2006 Blog: Kerrang! Hall Of Fame””Kerrang! Awards 2013: Kerrang! Legend”originalet”Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maien Among Winners At Metal Hammer Awards””Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards””Bullet For My Valentine Booed At Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards””Metal Storm Awards 2006””Metal Storm Awards 2015””Slayer's Concert History””Slayer - Relationships””Slayer - Releases”Slayers officiella webbplatsSlayer på MusicBrainzOfficiell webbplatsSlayerSlayerr1373445760000 0001 1540 47353068615-5086262726cb13906545x(data)6033143kn20030215029