Is 'a' necessary

Question

#1 Few people have lived abroad for dacades and yet have prejudice against locals.

#2 Few people have lived abroad for dacades and yet have a prejudice against locals.

Which is more natural of the two sentences?

Doctor D · Accepted Answer

I would use "a" with the verb "have." (You have things, so you need an article.)
If you used "prejudice" as part of a verb phrase, you wouldn't need an article, clearly:
"...and yet are prejudiced against locals."

However your sentences are not clear. Do you mean to say that people who live abroad for decades rarely are prejudiced? Or do you mean to say that a few of the people who live abroad for decades are still prejudiced?

For the first: Few people who live abroad for decades are prejudiced against (the) locals.
For the second: A few people who have lived abroad for decades are still prejudiced against (the) locals.

Seagull · Answer

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation, Doctor D.
I meant your first sentence, and was confused about whether an indefinite article should be used if I chose the construction 'have (a) prejudice against A.'
Thanks again.

Is 'a' necessary

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