appositives

Question

Which is prefered: "Mike Jones, a University of Akron proffesor,..." or "Mike Jones, University of Akron professor..."  WHen is it OK to drop the article?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Which is prefered: "Mike Jones, a University of Akron proffesor,..." or "Mike Jones, University of Akron professor..." The former is more common, but the latter is OK.

When is it OK to drop the article? Generally speaking, I'd drop it if I saw the second phrase as a title.

eg George Bush, President of the United States, . . . but George Bush, a president of a country in North America, . . .

I'd also say things like 'Leonardo, artist, engineer and scientist, . . . ', because Leonardo is so well known (unlike Mike Jones

).

I see the style in your second example commonly used in newpaper articles, and less often outside that kind of context.

Best wishes, Clive

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