English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
UNUSUAL ARTICLES
You should be quick with your programme because ~time is of essence~ (nonstandard).
You should be quick with your programme because time is of the essence (standard). Time is of the essence is an expression used to emphasise that something should be done as soon as possible.
May your career not get ~in shambles~ (nonstandard).
May your career not get ~in a shamble~ (nonstandard).
May your career not get in a shambles (standard). In a shambles is used to describe a state of total disorder.
GAB
