[Grammar] To express action or To express an action?

[mamen]

Here is the sentence: Regular verbs take the -d or -ed ending to express action in the past.

Should I still put an in the given sentence, or it is already correct?

Regular verbs take the -d or -ed ending to express an action in the past.

Please explain my dear teachers.

 

[tedmc]

An action in the past.

You use the indefinite article 'a/an' in a general statement.

not a teacher

 

[Raymott]

No, 'an' is not necessary there. "Action in the past is expressed by... "
An action is expressed that way, but so is action, and it's action that is being referred to.

 

[mamen]

My dear teachers,
I am already confused now. When am I allowed to remove or omit a or an in a sentence then? I really thought that an was necessary in the sentence that I gave.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rover_KE]

tedmc is a well-meaning native speaker of Chinese who is interested in English and often gives undisputed answers.

Raymott is an academic and a native English speaker. Emsr2d2 and I both 'Liked' the answer he gave you.

You can choose what you think the better answer is likely to be.

 

[mamen]

tedmc is a well-meaning native speaker of Chinese who is interested in English and often gives undisputed answers.

Raymott is an academic and a native English speaker. Emsr2d2 and I both 'Liked' the answer he gave you.

You can choose what you think the better answer is likely to be.

Thanks, sir. I believe that Sir Raymontt is right, but I am just asking for the rule about the omission/removal of the word "a or an" in a sentence.

 

[tedmc]

When was Raymott knighted?
I agree with Raymott that 'a' is optional.
However,you find that grammar books often use 'a' when talking about usage of the tenses.

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepast.html


not a teacher

 

[probus]

Well, since it was written by a teacher and presumably a native speaker, you should begin by assuming it is correct (@tedmc). "An action in the past" would be correct if there were only one action. "Action in the past" is far preferable. It also covers cases in which the past actions were multiple or continuous.

 

[probus]

Enough already. In my opinion it is time to ban tedmc. He misleads our students and disrespects our teachers.

When was Raymott knighted?
I agree with Raymott that 'a' is optional.
However,you find that grammar books often use 'a' when talking about usage of the tenses.

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepast.html


not a teacher

 

[tedmc]

probus
I am surprised that what was said in jest has been construed as disrespect.

not a teacher

 

[MikeNewYork]

Did it seem respectful to you?

 

[tedmc]

What is said in jest has nothing to do with being respectful or disrespectful.
It is to be taken with a pinch of salt.
I just found it amusing that Raymott was addressed as Sir Raymott.
Maybe Raymott himself can tell us if he finds it disrespectful.

not a teacher

 

[Raymott]

No, I didn't find "Sir Raymontt" disrespectful at all. Spelling someone's name incorrectly is more (potentially) disrespectful, but I can't remember being annoyed. Sometimes you have to allow for other people's language disabilities and ignore such misspellings (the first time).