toochache

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Rustamsher
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toochache

Post by Rustamsher »

(a) I have got toothache. I need to go to the dentist (BrE; without the indefinite article).
(b) I have a toothache. I need to go to the dentist (AmE; with the indefinite one)

I have learnt from the sentences above that the word toothache is uncountable
in BrE and countable in AmE. If the word is preceded by an adjective, does the difference
(between varieties of English) still remain then?
e.g.
''I've had (a) terrible toothache for weeks''
''You should go to the dentist''

Can I say...

I've had terrible toothache for weeks ---> is common in BrE while
I've had a terrible toothache for weeks ---> is usual in AmE. ?

Many thanks..
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Alan
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Re: toochache

Post by Alan »

Yes, your inferences are correct!
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