Indefinite article

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Allen165

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I'm not sure if there should be an "a" in the sentence below.

"In the event of a contract termination according to Article 3, there shall be no right to compensation."

It doesn't sound right to me, but in the construction "in the event of such a termination" the "a" is necessary, I think.

What do you think?

Thanks!
 

Abstract Idea

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----- Not an English teacher -----

I'm not sure if there should be an "a" in the sentence below.

"In the event of a contract termination according to Article 3, there shall be no right to compensation."

It doesn't sound right to me, but in the construction "in the event of such a termination" the "a" is necessary, I think.

I partially agree with you. The first sentence reads much better without the indefinite article. You have already used the definite the.
You may also say:
"In a/the contract termination event ... "
or
"In case of a/the contract termination ... "
or
"In case of contract termination ... "

But, as I said, I agree with you only partially - the original sentence, although a little awkward, seems to be correct.
 

billmcd

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I'm not sure if there should be an "a" in the sentence below.

"In the event of a contract termination according to Article 3, there shall be no right to compensation."

It doesn't sound right to me, but in the construction "in the event of such a termination" the "a" is necessary, I think.

What do you think?

Thanks!

I don't think either "a" is necessary in your examples.
 

apex2000

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Your quote comes from an official document; that will almost inevitably include legalese. So it does not sound right but it is right in that circumstance and even in everyday speech it is used.
 

vgv8

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"In the event of a contract termination according to Article 3, there shall be no right to compensation."

It doesn't sound right to me, but in the construction "in the event of such a termination" the "a" is necessary, I think.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Contexts of terminations can be various, but cocrete termination can be only one from many possible - hence "a".
"THE" before "event" is used because it is further specified by the phrase following "of".

What's the problem? All according rules of English
 

Tdol

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If these are standard terms it makes sense IMO- many contracts and one (non-specific) termination.
 

albertino

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I'm not sure if there should be an "a" in the sentence below.

"In the event of a contract termination according to Article 3, there shall be no right to compensation."

It doesn't sound right to me, but in the construction "in the event of such a termination" the "a" is necessary, I think.

What do you think?

Thanks!
(Not a teacher);-)
"Contract termination" is in its general abstract sense, so no article is needed.
 
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