Usage of Indefinite Article
I am wondering whether both of the following sentences are acceptable:
(A) Only water bottles with "caps" are allowed in this area. (B) Only water bottles with "a" cap are allowed in this area.
If I want to emphasize the importance of having A CAP on the bottles brought into the area, would it be acceptable to put "A" instead of "CAPS"?
Please advise.
Thank you
Solution 1:
Emphasizing the importance of having something is best done by the definite prohibition of not having it. The indefinite article (by its very definition) is unsuited to this concept :
Capless water bottles are prohibited in this area.
Or :
Uncapped water bottles are prohibited in this area.
Solution 2:
(A) seems better than (B) - keeping the plurals consistent.
Honestly I'd prefer other approaches:
- Please no open water bottles here
- No open water bottles are allowed in this area
- Only closed water bottles are allowed in this area
- Cap your water bottles please