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English 1b3 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

article use in formal writing

A strata lot owner or occupier shall not sublet, assign or licence the use of a parking space allocated to such (a) strata lot owner or occupier.

Should there be an article in this sentence?

Thanks
  

Top answer

English 1b3 Should there be an article in this sentence? It's 'legalese', a style in which it is normal to omit the article in that position. In normal style (non-legal texts) it would have the article.

— CalifJim

  • English 1b3 Should there be an article in this sentence?
  • It's 'legalese', a style in which it is normal to omit the article in that position.
  • In normal style (non-legal texts) it would have the article.
  • CJ
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16 Answers
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English 1b3Should there be an article in this sentence?
It's 'legalese', a style in which it is normal to omit the article in that position.

In normal style (non-legal texts) it would have the article.

CJ
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Thanks, CJ - that's what I wanted to hear.

Is the article also omitted in formal or more specifically legal texts before 'said' - meaning aforementioned?

I don't have a real example, I'm afraid:

The individuals involved in the hearing can not stand unless told to stand and (the) said individuals must speak when spoken to.
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CalifJim it is normal to omit the article in that position
What is 'that' position exactly? Thanks
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English 1b3What is 'that' position exactly?
After such when the next noun has already been stated earlier in the text.

CJ
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English 1b3Is the article also omitted in formal or more specifically legal texts before 'said' - meaning aforementioned?
Yes.

CJ
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Thanks. Would you recommend including the article before such and said in all but legal texts? Such, to me, sounds quite stuffy even with the article, but who am I to judge? And besides, it's quite a useful word to have at your disposal.
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English 1b3Would you recommend including the article before such and said in all but legal texts?
After such. Yes. It's such a nice day.

said (~ aforementioned) doesn't really belong in non-legal texts at all.

CJ
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CalifJimAfter such.
Sorry, I meant after.
CalifJimIt's such a nice day.
Yes, but this isn`t using such in the same way.
CalifJimsaid (~ aforementioned) doesn't really belong in non-legal texts at all.
Oh, so we should be using aforementioned instead...
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English 1b3Yes, but this isn`t using such in the same way.
Well, OK, but you use 'such a' even if 'such' IS used in the same way.
English 1b3Oh, so we should be using aforementioned instead...
No. You should avoid both 'said' and 'aforementioned' in an ordinary text.

CJ
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CalifJimNo. You should avoid both 'said' and 'aforementioned' in an ordinary text.
What should we be using thenÉ (sorry, my question mark key is coming up funny).

You are supposed to write concisely, so why is it not recommended to use said or aforementioned instead of a phrase that means the same thingÉ
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