Article to avoid repetation

[musicgold]

Hi,

I know that ‘growth’ does not require an article before it. In the following sentence, however, to avoid repeating ‘same-store revenue growth’ I have used ‘the’ before ‘growth’. Can I do that?

Same-store revenue growth for the last quarter was weak at -2%; however, for full-year 2008 the growth was strong at +5%.

Thanks,

MG.

[Anglika]

You can equally well omit "the" in the second place.

[musicgold]

Anglika,

Thanks.

But if I omit 'the' , I feel that the reader may get confused with respect to 'growth' I am talking about. For example, in this context, 'same-store revenue growth' is different from 'revenue growth'.

[jctgf]

couldn't you say "that" or "this growth"?
a student.

[Barb_D]

Or even, "it."

[musicgold]

Thanks folks.

jctgf said:
couldn't you say "that" or "this growth"?

Barb_D said:
Or even, "it."

Aren't these words (this, that or it) doing the task of 'the', i.e. making 'growth' definite? Then what is wrong with 'the'?

[jctgf]

just a student.
If you use "the", I'm not sure it's going to be clear that you are referring to "same-store revenue growth".
The reader may think that you meant "growth" and simply wrote "the growth". With "the", the reader may not connect the second "growth" with the 1st one.
If you say "that/this growth", I think it's beyond doubt that you are referring to "same-store revenue growth".
I'm just guessing. I'm just a student!

[Barb_D]

"The" growth is fine - it's clear that it means the same-store growth. But if you were looking to avoid repetition, then "it" can be used in place of "the growth," avoiding all the repetition.