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Cho7712 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
in pen
A noun 'pen' is a concrete noun when used in a sense of the writing instrument. But I've seen so many examples like (a).
1. Is it grammatical to say like (a) without any article ahead of 'pen'?
2. If that is so, is the sentence 'He wrote with pen.' also correct?
3. What is the reason for omitting an article in (a)?
(a) He wrote in pen.
(b) He wrote with a pen.
1. Is it grammatical to say like (a) without any article ahead of 'pen'?
2. If that is so, is the sentence 'He wrote with pen.' also correct?
3. What is the reason for omitting an article in (a)?
(a) He wrote in pen.
(b) He wrote with a pen.
Top answer
"He wrote in pen" is correct. ). It is probably best for these purposes to consider "He wrote with pen" as incorrect.
- "He wrote in pen" is correct.
- ).
- It is probably best for these purposes to consider "He wrote with pen" as incorrect.
- In fact, it is not totally impossible, as "with pen" can also be used as an idiomatic form, though less obviously and less commonly than "in pen".
- Cases where something else is added are more common, as in "He wrote with pen and ink" or "He wrote with pen in hand".
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2 Answers
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"He wrote in pen" is correct. "in pen" is a special idiomatic form (similarly "in pencil", "in crayon", etc.).
It is probably best for these purposes to consider "He wrote with pen" as incorrect. In fact, it is not totally impossible, as "with pen" can also be used as an idiomatic form, though less obviously and less commonly than "in pen". Cases where something else is added are more com
It is probably best for these purposes to consider "He wrote with pen" as incorrect. In fact, it is not totally impossible, as "with pen" can also be used as an idiomatic form, though less obviously and less commonly than "in pen". Cases where something else is added are more com
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