0
MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Speed of light in (a) vacuum is equal to ...

Hi,

Which version (with or without the indefinite article) is correct grammar?

mus-te
  

Top answer

Hi Without 'a'. e. it can't be counted.

— Prajwalkr

  • Hi Without 'a'.
  • e.
  • it can't be counted.
  • So, do not use the indefinite article.
  • Prajwal
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.

6 Answers
0
Hi
Without 'a'. Vacuum is a mass noun, i.e. it can't be counted. So, do not use the indefinite article.

Prajwal
0
0
Hi Prajwal,

Thanks for your reply!

One more (follow-up) question then.

I'd like you to comment on the following 'odditity'.
Below is what my longman gives (marked GREEN) for the entry vacuum.
Note item 1.

0
0
Hi,

The speed of light in a vacuum is equal to ...?

How will you continue? Do you need the words 'equal to'?

Clive
0
0
CliveHi,
The speed of light in a vacuum is equal to ...?
I knew I would be wrong somewhere, but, never have I seen a science book using the indefinite article. I can't reason it out, but they always say it like this:

The speed of light in vacuum is 3 x 108 m/s.
The speed of light in glass is 2 x 10
0
0
Hi,

And I've never seen it without the article. But I'm not a scientist.
Google seems to show it is said both ways.

Clive
0
0
Thank you, Clive. I think it is acceptable in both the ways.

Prajwal
0

Related Questions