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Gori Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Is this grammatically wrong?
Recently I found one English sentence which I do not think "grammatically wrong."
Is my understanding wrong?
Sentence: "Is this a pencil or pen?"
I understand that "Is this a pencil or a pen?" is, of course, correct.
However, is the article "a" always necessary before "pen"?
In formal writing, is an article ("a" in this case) always required before the second noun?
The above sentence comes from academic writing--Japanese textbook for English learners.
Hmmm, native grammar teachers, please help me clarify this point.
Is my understanding wrong?
Sentence: "Is this a pencil or pen?"
I understand that "Is this a pencil or a pen?" is, of course, correct.
However, is the article "a" always necessary before "pen"?
In formal writing, is an article ("a" in this case) always required before the second noun?
The above sentence comes from academic writing--Japanese textbook for English learners.
Hmmm, native grammar teachers, please help me clarify this point.
Top answer
" is, of course, correct. -- No, not always. -- No .
- " is, of course, correct.
- -- No, not always.
- -- No .
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4 Answers
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I understand that "Is this a pencil or a pen?" is, of course, correct. However, is the article "a" always necessary before "pen"?-- No, not always.
In formal writing, is an article ("a" in this case) always required before the second noun?-- No.
In formal writing, is an article ("a" in this case) always required before the second noun?-- No.
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I am glad that my understanding was not wrong--the sentence omitting the second "a" is not grammatically wrong.
Thank you for your help, Mr. Micawber!
Thank you for your help, Mr. Micawber!
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The sentence, "Is this a pencil or pen?", is accepted in casual speech. Strictly speaking, grammatically, it would be more correct as, "Is this a pencil or a pen?", but you'll get by with the original in casual speech (frankly, this makes me wince, though).
The noun "pen" does not always require an article before it (For example, "He took pen in hand and wrote out his will."), but in the
The noun "pen" does not always require an article before it (For example, "He took pen in hand and wrote out his will."), but in the
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I see.
Usage of articles is very difficult for non-native speakers, like myself, I guess.
Thank you for your comment and advice on this matter. Well, however, I just want to clarify one point--Cannot I omit the second article in formal writing (such as technical writing)? I am asking this question because I often see articles being omitted in writing in technical documents, etc.
Usage of articles is very difficult for non-native speakers, like myself, I guess.
Thank you for your comment and advice on this matter. Well, however, I just want to clarify one point--Cannot I omit the second article in formal writing (such as technical writing)? I am asking this question because I often see articles being omitted in writing in technical documents, etc.
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