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Quibble Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

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Could you tell me whether this sentence,

Animals exhibit variation in their traits.

is wrong?

Should it be one of the followings?

Animals exhibit a variation in their traits.
Animals exhibit variations in their traits.
Animals exhibit the variation in their traits.
  

Top answer

-- This is a good general statement ('variation is uncountable). -- This is also a good general statement ('variation' is countable). -- T his refers to a previously-mentioned variation only, a specific variation that is already under discussion.

— Mister Micawber

  • -- This is a good general statement ('variation is uncountable).
  • -- This is also a good general statement ('variation' is countable).
  • -- T his refers to a previously-mentioned variation only, a specific variation that is already under discussion.
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2 Answers
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Animals exhibit variation in their traits.-- This is a good general statement ('variation is uncountable).

(X) Animals exhibit a variation in their traits.-- This is not good, since it suggests only one variation per species

Animals exhibit variations in their traits.-- This is also a good general statement ('variation' is countable).

Animals
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Thank you very much, Mister Micawber!
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