Conjunction redundancy

Question

On my request Amar introduced me to his friend who is a singer and a scientist.

My book says since both the nouns belong to same person the a before scientist can be eliminated.

One of my friends is both a novelist and a poet.

Does this rule apply to above sentence also ? Or Since it is mentioned both we need to use article with both nouns ?

Aric · Accepted Answer · 2017-08-25 08:53:48Z

1

Yes.

In "He is a singer and scientist", the structure He is a {something} applies to both activities.

Your sentence "My friend is both a novelist and a poet" can be written as "My friend is a novelist and poet" (the word "both" is also optional).

answered Aug 25, 2017 at 8:53

Aric

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I agree both is also optional but if I had to use both then do I need to use second a before poet or it can be eliminated ? I.e. One of my friends is both a novelist and poet. Is this correct ?
– user212388
Commented Aug 25, 2017 at 8:57
1

@user212388 "both" does not affect whether you need to use a second "a", so it is also optional.
– Aric
Commented Aug 25, 2017 at 9:04

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