When to use indefinite article before "independence"?

Question

I got this confusion with a particular English grammar: when to say an independence. Like: as children mature, they develop an independence. (Actually...I don't think "an" is even necessary for "independence" when we say "a sense of independence.")

Other times, it's doesn't sound right to use "an". Like: we fought for independence.

My book explains that "an independence" refers to a continuously changing state in that sentence. But in the second one, independence is a concrete state.

Can someone explain how "an independence" is a continuously changing state and more importantly when to use "an"?

Sankarane · Answer

"Independence" is an uncountable noun. When in doubt, I tend to think: Can I count independence as one independence, two independences, three..., etc.? If the answer is "yes", then the noun can take an indefinite article in any situation.

However, as commented by the members, an article can be used "figuratively" to mean a kind of in select contexts.

Your inquiry about independence being a continuously changing state, is thought-provoking. "Independence is a continuously (or continually) changing state" is correct. From childhood to old age, we can see how one's state of independence changes over time. This is a general statement and therefore, "an" cannot be used here.

When to use indefinite article before "independence"?

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