Should the article "a" / "an" be omitted?

Question

Supposing a university has established a research team, and the team is comprised of one professor, two research assistants and five student helpers. Then, which of the following is correct?
(a) "a team of a professor, research assistants and student helpers"
(b) "a team of professor, research assistants and student helpers"

Supposing the team is comprised of one professor, one associate professor, two research assistants and five student helpers. Then, which of the following is correct?
(a) "a team of a professor, an associate professor, research assistants and student helpers"
(b) "a team of a professor, associate professor, research assistants and student helpers"
(c) "a team of professor, associate professor, research assistants and student helpers"

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

(a) is right in both cases.  -  CB

Avangi · Answer

Supposing the team is composed of?

Cool Breeze · Answer

AvangiSupposing the team is composed of?

I cannot see how that could affect the use of articles here. On the other hand, I'm not a native speaker and thus I don't have a clue what sounds natural and correct to native speakers. What's your suggestion, Avangi?

CB

PS Congratulations on reaching 10,000 posts![<:o)] Quite an achievement.

Avangi · Answer

Thanks for the kind words, CB.

I used to be a champion of answering the posters' questions, but have finally taken a "when in Rome" approach.

I have never considered the correct use of "to comprise" simply a matter of style, but it seems many people do. Perhaps you'd be willing to allow me a handful of pet peeves. Call me a prescriptivist if you will. (Well, I take more than my share of liberties with the Queen's English.)

Best wishes, - A.

As memory serves me, even the esteemed 200-member "Usage Panel" of my 1980's American Heritage Dictionary are split on "comprise/compose," but wisely, most of them are voting with me.

Cool Breeze · Answer

AvangiI have never considered the correct use of "to comprise" simply a matter of style, but it seems many people do. Perhaps you'd be willing to allow me a handful of pet peeves.

Oh, I see!

I misunderstood you completely. I didn't realize you objected toto be comprised of. I got the wrong impression that you suggested using another verb instead of it would somehow affect the artciles as well. How stupid of me!

Well, I don't know what to say here. If you consider to be comprised of incorrect, that is of course fine with me. This is what an American dictionary says about it:

—Usage. COMPRISE has had an interesting history of sense development. In addition to its original senses, dating from the 15th century, “to include” and “to consist of” (The United States of America comprises 50 states), COMPRISE has had since the late 18th century the meaning “to form or constitute” (Fifty states comprise the United States of America). Since the late 19th century it has also been used in passive constructions with a sense synonymous with that of one of its original meanings “to consist of, be composed of”: The United States of America is comprised of 50 states. These later uses are often criticized, but they occur with increasing frequency even in formal speech and writing.
(Random House Unabridged Dictionary)

The history of English (and other languages) is replete with changes of all kinds. People don't usually object to changes that occurred hundreds of years ago but are adamantly against changes occurring in their lifetime. This particular change seems to be a hundred-odd years old only.

CB

Avangi · Answer

This particular change seems to be a hundred-odd years old only.

I too seem to be rapidly approaching that mark.

In my youth, it seemed that the corruption was only beginning to creep into the vernacular.

Only proper exercise can keep us young!

I guess you did concede that my usage dates from the fifteenth century while yours dates only from the twentieth.

Anonymous · Answer

Sorry for my poor English. I have to admit that I have a very limited knowledge of the language, and that's why I was asking.

Can you give me some advice as to my question? Should we keep the articles "a" and "an"? Many thanks.

Avangi · Answer

Sorry, Anon.

I agee with CB. Choice (a) is best in both groups. Keep the articles. They're particularly important where the team makeup involves single members in some categories and multiple members in others.

My apologies for interrupting the flow of the thread. - A.
(Was that a mixed metaphor?)

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you to both Avangi and CB for the advice.  It is really appreciated! Thanks a million!

Should the article "a" / "an" be omitted?

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