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article usage - [a] divorce

Allegro molto

Senior Member
Japanese
Hello

A. She's suing for a divorce.
B. After she left him, she sued for divorce.
(A, B from dictionaries)

What is the difference between A and B?
I suppose that in A divorce as a case is emphasized as compared with B.

Thank you
A is taking place in the present.

B took place at some time in the past.

Am I misunderstanding your question?

Hello, GreenWhiteBlue
Thank you very much for your reply.

I just failed to make clear what is the problem.
The problem is:
Why is the indefinite article used in A while it is not used in B?
Sue for divorce is a set phrase.

To sue for a divorce forms a pattern with other verbs like to ask for a divorce, and conforms to the general rules for using a common noun.

I don't think there's a difference in meaning.
"Sue for divorce" is a traditional legal phrase. Legal language often follows French rules or old rules that were being generallly followed at the time the phrase was first used, centuries ago.
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