WHEN TO AVOID ARTICLE “A”

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

WHEN TO AVOID ARTICLE “A”

For many, programming is ~a child’s play~ (nonstandard).
For many, programming is child’s play (standard). Something that is easy to do is child’s play; not a child’s play.

She is ~a living proof~ that women too can rise to the top in any career (nonstandard).
She is living proof that women too can rise to the top in any career (standard).

Write it ~with a pencil~ (nonstandard).
Write it in pencil (standard).
GAB