In this section we’ll learn about the omission rules for indefinite articles ‘a’ and ‘an’ and then will see some examples to build our understanding.
Omission Rules of Articles – A and An
Rule 1. Indefinite articles should not be practiced twice for the same noun in the same sentence.
For example,
Wrong – Alex is a cricketer and a hero.
Correct – Alex is a cricketer and hero.
In the above example ‘Alex’ is noun and ‘a’ is an indefinite article.
But,
Correct – Eklavya was both a saint and a hero.
Correct – Robert is neither a singer nor a writer.
Rule 2. Indefinite article a and an should not be used before the name of meals.
For example,
Wrong – Charles was present at a lunch.
Correct – Charles was present at lunch.
In the above example ‘Charles’ is noun and ‘a’ is an indefinite article.
But, in the case of adjective we must use indefinite article to describe the attribute or quality of noun.
Wrong – It was delicious lunch.
Correct – It was a delicious lunch.
Wrong – That was very nice lunch.
Correct – That was a very nice lunch.
In the above examples underlined words are adjectives.
Rule 3. A or An should not be used before material noun (objects like steel, toy etc.) .
For example,
Wrong – It is a rubber so it can not be broken easily.
Correct – It is rubber so it can not be broken easily.
Wrong – It is a paper we should use it effectively.
Correct – It is paper we should use it effectively.
But we must use Indefinite article before a countable expression.
Wrong – Bring bottle of milk.
Correct – Bring a bottle of milk.
Wrong – I read book.
Correct – I read a book.
Rule 4. No use of article is there after what kind of and what sort of.
For example,
Wrong – What type of a girl she is.
Correct – What type of girl she is.
Wrong – What kind of a book it is.
Correct – What kind of book it is.
Rule 5. Some nouns are uncountable so we should not use indefinite article or number before them.
For Example : Furniture, Stationery, Poetry, Damage, Luggage, Postage, Traffic, Offspring, Information, Advice, Abuse, Telephone.
So if we write like a poetry, a information or an advice etc. it is not correct and we should restrain our-self from using this.
If you follow these five omission rules you’ll be able to use articles a and an correctly.