[a/the] lack of local work experience and [a/the] language barrier
I have made up (1a) below.
(1a) Two of the biggest challenges new immigrants face are a lack of local work experience and a language barrier.
My non-native English speaking friends' revisions are given next.
(1b) Two of the biggest challenges new immigrants face are the lack of local work experience and the language barrier.
(1c) Two of the biggest challenges new immigrants face are a lack of local work experience and the language barrier.
I thought the indefinite article in my version would work because those are two of the challenges new immigrants usually have to deal with.
However, my friends disagree with me because the language barrier is a common challenge for them, so the definite article is needed in (1b). They also think (1c) sounds fine with both the definite and the indefinite article placed in the appropriate spots.
I am not sure who is correct. Please help me. Many thanks.
Top answer
Those are all possible. I might use 1a if talking in very general terms about any immigrants to any country. ).
- Those are all possible.
- I might use 1a if talking in very general terms about any immigrants to any country.
- ).
- For most other purposes either 1b or 1c are fine.
- CJ
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Those are all possible.
I might use 1a if talking in very general terms about any immigrants to any country. Depending on the language where the started and where they arrived, they would each face a different language barrier (Chinese to French; Arabic to English; Italian to Japanese; etc.).
For most other purposes either 1b or 1c are fine.
CJ
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