Definite article
Hello everyone,
Someone (guess it was the administrator) put a sign on a wall in my building saying "no smoking in common area", now I wonder if that is correct, shouldn't it be "no smoking in THE common area" or "no smoking in the building / no smoking in common area of the building"? I'm always struggling with articles...Thank you for your help in advance!
Top answer
Articles (and other short words) are very often omitted in signs and in newspaper headlines. This practice is as common as mud, and you must learn not to panic when you notice it. Do not expect signs, headlines, telegrams, or instructions to be a model for the use of articles in other kinds of writing and speech.
- Articles (and other short words) are very often omitted in signs and in newspaper headlines.
- This practice is as common as mud, and you must learn not to panic when you notice it.
- Do not expect signs, headlines, telegrams, or instructions to be a model for the use of articles in other kinds of writing and speech.
- They will all look to you as if there is something wrong, but all is OK, I assure you.
- CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
Articles (and other short words) are very often omitted in signs and in newspaper headlines. This practice is as common as mud, and you must learn not to panic when you notice it.
0
Related Questions