3

Which form is correct?:

This technique improves a speed and a performance

or:

This technique improves speed and performance

If there are two and more items, should each one be preceded by an article, or should I skip all articles, as there are more than one item?

Marc Andreson
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  • I think the correctness of the two alternatives depends upon context. If the speed and performance are closely linked in some manner, as with an automobile, then I don't think the articles are needed, as in the second version. But if speed and performance are not closely related, as in typing / keyboarding, then the first choice might be the better of the two. – brasshat Jun 17 '15 at 09:47
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    Look up frequencies of uses on the internet for individual usages. n ("improves speed and performance") : n("improves a speed and a performance") = 61 500 : 2 (and guess whose the 2 are?). – Edwin Ashworth Jun 17 '15 at 10:03
  • @EdwinAshworth I don't get why :'-( . One native speaker told me never to skip articles, however, there are abstract nouns which don't need them at all, in addition, you tell me I can skip them in enumeration – Marc Andreson Jun 17 '15 at 10:13
  • One native speaker almost certainly hasn't read either the Cobuild book or the many posts here. I didn't say 'You can skip them in enumeration'; I 'said' (indicated) that 'This technique improves a speed and a performance' is unacceptable in most people's opinion. deadrat's example is certainly acceptable, and shows that the rules governing article usage are highly complex. My subsequent comment indicated that there are often choices; the linked article shows that these might have subtly different emphases. – Edwin Ashworth Jun 17 '15 at 10:28

1 Answers1

3

The number of items on the list is immaterial. You need to examine each noun and use an appropriate article or none at all depending on the noun:

"Winning requires a willingness to work hard, the desire for success, and unrelenting drive."

deadrat
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