grammar in VOA news?

[tien-sung]

"The Chinese have long had particular expertise in missile development, so it is natural that they would rely on this as a way of countering U.S. strength.


The above sentence was quoted from today's VOA news .

The article says : "The Chinese have long had particular expertise in

missile development"

I have a question : Is there any grammar mistake in this sentence?

Can we say "China has many particular expertises in missile development,"


Thank you.

Tien-sung (Taiwan)

[Gillnetter]

"The Chinese have long had particular expertise in missile development, so it is natural that they would rely on this as a way of countering U.S. strength.


The above sentence was quoted from today's VOA news .

The article says : "The Chinese have long had a particular expertise in

missile development"

I have a question : Is there any grammar mistake in this sentence? Yes. I would add an "a", some people would not do this.

Can we say "China has many particular expertises in missile development,"
No. There is a coflict between "particular" and "expertises." Particular points to one thing. Expertises, because it is plural, points to being expert in more than one thing. The reason one can write, "particular expertise", is that missile development is seen as one thing - not a series of things (which it really is).

Thank you.

Tien-sung (Taiwan)

Gil

[Tdol]

I would also add a- it sounds strange without the article.