"Went to war" vs "Went to a war"

[Tom]

Hi

Which one sounds OK to you? Her husband was a soldier

[Conchita]

Both sound fine to me, Tom.

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

Both technically are all right but there is a difference. 'Went to war' means as a soldier he engaged in military combat. 'Went to a war' means he left home and entered a war - a particular war, which would have to be mentioned. Probably the one you want is 'went to war' in the sense I have indicated - he engaged in military combat.

Alan
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[Tom]