This / These

[Casiopea]

1. is correct.

2. 'a' was not omitted. It is not required.

[jack]

Thanks.

2. 'a' was not omitted. It is not required.

2. It functions as (a) modification. (Why isn't 'a' required? Modification is not a count noun?)

What about these? What do these mean?
1. I have five slices of apple.
2. I have five slices of (an) apple. (If 'an' is not required, why?)

[Casiopea]

Sorry. Your questions are not about This/These.