0
Maverick88 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Ladder

"Frank appears, carrying laddder"
Isn't ladder a countable noun? Shouldn't it have been "a ladder"? Thanks
  

Top answer

This sounds like the telegraphic style of stage directions, in which case articles are often omitted. If not for some special use like this, then yes, "a ladder" would be the normal phrasing. CJ

— CalifJim

  • This sounds like the telegraphic style of stage directions, in which case articles are often omitted.
  • If not for some special use like this, then yes, "a ladder" would be the normal phrasing.
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
This sounds like the telegraphic style of stage directions, in which case articles are often omitted.

If not for some special use like this, then yes, "a ladder" would be the normal phrasing.

CJ
0
0
This quotation was taken from the play "all my sons" and it was used there for 2-3 times without an article.
This is apparently a stage direction. If so, is this ungrammatical? (Considering the omittance)
0
0
It's a question of style, not grammar. For its context (stage directions) it is not ungrammatical. It is normal.
0

Related Questions