The indefinite article before"public"

[Rachel Adams]

Should I use "a" before "public"?

"Taxes are a mechanism the government uses to ensure public stability."

 

[Tdol]

No. Mind you, the sentence could do with a bit of work.

 

[Rachel Adams]

No. Mind you, the sentence could do with a bit of work.

Perhaps "Taxes are mechanisms the government uses to ensure public stability."

 

[slevlife]

That’s the same sentence (it doesn’t address Tdol’s comment that it could use some work), but now by using mechanisms and dropping the article you’re talking about multiple kinds of taxes.

 

[Rachel Adams]

That’s the same sentence (it doesn’t address Tdol’s comment that it could use some work), but now by using mechanisms and dropping the article you’re talking about multiple kinds of taxes.

I am afraid I don't understand what should be corrected.

 

[slevlife]

There’s nothing to correct. Tdol was just saying he/she thinks there are better and/or clearer ways to express the same idea. I don’t feel strongly about it, but maybe you could say it more simply and/or explicitly. I can’t offer a good suggestion because your meaning isn’t very clear. What do you mean by “public stability,” and what do you mean by saying taxes are a mechanism for ensuring it?

 

[Tdol]

Taxes ensure that we have things like schools and hospitals. If no taxes were paid, we'd have riots and chaos, but that is rarely used as an argument for paying your taxes.

 

[Yankee]

Should I use "a" before "public"?

"Taxes are a mechanism the government uses to ensure public stability."

The sentence is fine as is and I see no need for improvement.

 

[Tdol]

Does it mean much to you? It's a bit vague for me.

 

[Yankee]

Does it mean much to you? It's a bit vague for me.

Many/most standalone sentences could be considered "vague", but the sentence in question could be a perfect lead-in to a discussion on the impact of taxes on "public stability" and public stability could be whatever the speaker/writer intends it to be..

 

[tedmc]

I wouldn't call taxes a mechanism, which is a process. Taxes are simply a source of revenue to the government to operate and fund development of a country. It enables things to run smoothly and in a orderly manner, i.e. it ensures stability.

 

[Glizdka]

Stability is uncountable. Don't use a.

Please be careful when touching the topic of taxes or government. You'll get a lot of conflicting information and opinions affected by the political views of each individual.

Your sentence is fine as is if you believe taxes ensure stability.