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Taka Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

or

· The/a X1 and (the/a) X2
The latter articles 'the/a' can be omitted. What about this?
·The/a X1 or the/a X2
Is it possible to omit the latter articles? 
  

Top answer

It works in much the same way: You can wear a skirt or (a) dress. The form must be signed by either the father or (the) mother. But note that omitting the second article can influence the meaning by forcing a stronger association between the two items.

— Mr Wordy

  • It works in much the same way: You can wear a skirt or (a) dress.
  • The form must be signed by either the father or (the) mother.
  • But note that omitting the second article can influence the meaning by forcing a stronger association between the two items.
  • For example: I saw a car and trailer (the two were probably attached) I saw a car and a trailer (the two might be separate) And when the items are disparate, omitting the article may not be natural.
  • For example, "I need to go to the shops to buy a radio and chicken" sounds wrong.
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1 Answers
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It works in much the same way:

You can wear a skirt or (a) dress.

The form must be signed by either the father or (the) mother.

But note that omitting the second article can influence the meaning by forcing a stronger association between the two items. For example:

I saw a car and trailer (the two were probably attached)

I saw a
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