Question

Fill in the blanks with the correct or no article (s):
Sandra is ___________ better dance than __________ singer. (One person).
a) A; a
b) The; a
c) A; the
d) A; no article

Answer 1

Hint: Here the speaker is comparing Sandra’s dancing and singing skills. In case when two nouns refer to the same person we use an article before the first noun only and if the nouns refer to different persons we use an article before each noun.

Complete answer:
 Articles are used to indicate whether a noun in a sentence is specific or general. There are two kinds of articles – definite article (the) and the indefinite article (a/ an).
The definite article ‘the’ is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; whereas, ‘a/ an’ is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns or nouns that are general.
Now, while expressing a comparison, if the two nouns refer to the same person or thing, the article is used before the first noun only. But if the nouns refer to different persons or things, the article is used before each noun.
Now, in the given statement, both the nouns, i.e. dancer and singer refers to one person only (and the person is Sandra) therefore, the article will be used before the first noun only and no article will be used before the noun – singer.
So, as per the above explanation, the correct solution would be option (d), i.e. a; no article. Which makes the sentence – ‘Sandra is a better dancer than singer’.
Now, since the nouns are not used to refer to the different types of work ‘Sandra’ does, therefore, the indefinite article 'a' cannot be used before the second noun' singer'. Hence, it makes option (a), i.e. ‘a; a’ incorrect.
 Now, the article 'the' cannot be used when the nouns are being used in a general sense to single out an individual as the representative of a class. Therefore, this makes the option (b) and (c) incorrect.

 Note:
Remember that the definite article ‘the’ is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; whereas, ‘a/ an’ is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns or nouns that are general.