Repeating the definite article [duplicate]
I have a question about repeating the definite article. At my job, we have to discuss various cost elements. In our reports, people never repeat the definite article, but I think it's necessary. Here are some examples:
- The proposed and objective indirect costs are summarized below.
- The proposed and the objective indirect costs are summarized below.
- The variance between the proposed and objective indirect costs equates to $450,000.
- The variance between the proposed and the objective indirect costs equates to $450,000.
I believe that the term "indirect costs" is a non-count noun -- you are discussing a set of indirect costs (i.e., there are multiple different indirect costs items, such as engineering overhead, material overhead, G&A, etc).
Failing to repeat the definite article seems to suggest that you are referring to one set of indirect costs when you are really discussing two different sets of costs (i.e., the adjectives "proposed" and "objective" are referring to two different sets of costs/subjects). That said, the meaning is likely still clear within the context of the overall document. Should the definite article be repeated in this case?
Solution 1:
Disambiguation and the.
Editing: Proposed costs and objective indirect costs are summarized below.
There is no need for /the/ actually. The reason is that your readers know the document refers to a specific project or company or thing.
You can put in one /the/ but by repeating the word costs, you remove any ambiguity re this referring to two separate items.
By repeating the word costs, there is no doubt that you are referring to two separate cost items. It is not the /the/ that makes the difference.
Editing: The variance between proposed costs and objective indirect costs equates to $450,000.