“In a shambles”, “at a crossroads”, “a noise” and other grammatically correct phrases in English

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

English can be a playful and sometimes puzzling language. Have you ever wondered why we say in a shambles or at a crossroads when both shambles and crossroads are plural? Or why we say make a noise when noise is supposed to be a noncount noun? These quirks can leave even fluent speakers scratching their heads. In today’s NRTC English, I’ve unravelled the mystery behind these expressions, highlighting how they use the indefinite article a in ways that seem to defy conventional grammar rules.

Expressions with indefinite articles and plural nouns

1. In a shambles
   • Shambles is a plural noun, but this expression treats it as a singular entity meaning “a state of great disorder.”
   • Example: “After the storm, the garden was in a shambles.”
2. At a crossroads
   • Crossroads appears plural, yet it functions as a singular noun describing a critical decision point.
   • Example: “The team is at a crossroads and must decide its next strategy.”
3. In a quandary
   • While quandary isn’t plural, this phrase fits the pattern of describing a singular, figurative state.
   • Example: “She’s in a quandary about whether to accept the job offer.”
4. In a doldrums
   • Rarely used but valid, doldrums refers to a state of stagnation, again treated singularly.
   • Example: “The market has been in a doldrums for weeks.”

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Expressions with indefinite articles and noncount nouns

1. Make a noise
   • While noise is noncount, using a signals a specific instance of sound.
   • Example: “The children made a noise outside, waking the neighbors.”
2. Make a fuss
   • Fuss behaves similarly, referring to an instance of exaggerated concern.
   • Example: “Why make a fuss about a minor delay?”
3. Make a mess
   • Here, mess refers to a specific situation of disorder.
   • Example: “They made a mess of the presentation.”

Why these expressions are unique

These phrases demonstrate how English breaks its own rules:

1. Plural nouns like crossroads and shambles take the singular indefinite article a.
2. Noncount nouns like noise, mess, or fuss can be treated as countable in specific contexts when referring to particular instances.

Understanding these quirks helps you as learners use these expressions naturally and confidently.