Should I omit the INDEFINITE ARTICLE?

[Jesus1]

Hi, how are you? Thanks in advance!

E.X What a cake!

My questions:

1.- Should I omit the indefinite
article to mean 'I was surprised by the
cake they gave me as a present?in this exclamation?

2.- Must I always omit the indefinite article
in exclamations like that?

Thanks a lot!

[Pamela]

You needn't omit it!Why?!

[Conchita]

You need the indefinite article in this sentence, because 'cake' is a count noun. However, the article is omitted for uncountable nouns:

What (terrible) weather!
What (excruciating) pain!
What (wonderful) news!

[Jesus1]

Hello! Thanks for all your replies, but what about
a name that can be countable or uncountable?

For instance, 'crime'.

Which one should I use?

What a crime!
What crime!

Thanks a lot!

[Conchita]

In that case, the article should or should not be used depending on the context. Use it if you refer to a particular crime or criminal act. Don't use it if crime or illegal activities in general are meant. Still, to me, the expression 'what crime' sounds a bit strange and I would probably express it differently.

[Tom]

Hi Jesus

1- He killed his own daughter? What a heinous crime!
2- You mean to say I have committed a crime...what crime?

1- What a suitable conversation!
2- What conversation are you referring to right now?

I hope this helps a bit!

Tom

[Jesus1]

Thanks to everyone!

But, Tom, Is it necessary to use an adjective in
your first sentence?. Can?t I just say:

'What a crime!'

Do I always need to use an adjective with countanble nouns in
exclamations?

Thanks in advance!

[Tom]

Hi,

No, it is not necessary.

Tom