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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Omission of the indefinte article

Hi,

Why does the writer not use 'a' before the noun 'secretary' although it's singular?
- ' One group member should act as secretary.'
Are there other instances?
Thank you
  

Top answer

Anonymous Why does the writer not use 'a' before the noun 'secretary' although it's singular? It is a job title. Anonymous Are there other instances?

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous Why does the writer not use 'a' before the noun 'secretary' although it's singular?
  • It is a job title.
  • Anonymous Are there other instances?
  • It is common for many titles and similar denominations.
  • A few from Googling: Act as delegate act as attorney serve as acting director serve as trustee elect as supreme pontiff appoint someone as ambassador etc.
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3 Answers
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AnonymousWhy does the writer not use 'a' before the noun 'secretary' although it's singular?
It is a job title.
AnonymousAre there other instances?
It is common for many titles and similar denominations. A few from Googling:

Act as delegate
act as attorney
serve as acting director
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Mister Micawber AnonymousWhy does the writer not use 'a' before the noun 'secretary' although it's singular?It is a job title.AnonymousAre there other instances?It is common for many titles and similar denominations. A few from Googling:Act as delegateact as attorneyserve as acting directorserve as trusteeelect as supreme pontiffappoint someone as ambassadoretc.
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AnonymousIs this similar to constructions like: ' He became king, president, etc.'?
Yes, it is identical.
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