word choice - "What memory!" or "What a memory!"?


Even though the second one seems right, is the first one totally wrong? It sounds ok to me. Correct me if I am wrong. Please explain if possible. Thanks. :)


Context:


Someone recollects a proverb that he/she read somewhere. I am intending to praise this person. So which usage would be apt for the situation?



Answer



Neither is wrong. They just mean different things.


“What memory!” refers to "memory" as a general concept.


If someone remembered things very well, you might say "What memory!" to mean "What (good) memory (you have)!"


“What a memory!” refers to a specific memory.


If someone told you a story, you might say "What a memory!" to mean "What a (good) memory (you have just talked about)!"


Edit: As noted in the comments, you could say "What a memory!" to refer to the general concept of memory as well. The example would be similar to "What a (good) memory (you have)!"


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