My sentence is
He plays the piano & the violin.
Is it correct to say
He plays the piano & violin?
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That's fine. But I would say either keep both articles or get rid of both. You can say He plays piano and violin. I'm sure someone will elaborate on this.– pazzoCommented Dec 2, 2014 at 3:57
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The is both pretty optional and pretty overused in English. If you don't use it enough, you sound Russian. If you use it too much you sound pedantic.– Wayfaring StrangerCommented Jan 1, 2015 at 14:16
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The question throws two issues into play. First: Is the definite article, the used (or omitted) differently when introducing (or not introducing) musical instruments as compared with ordinary (countable) nouns? That question has been raised (and addressed, however well so far), here.– Jim ReynoldsCommented Feb 2, 2015 at 18:34
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The second: Need we distribute articles evenly over two (or perhaps multiple) nouns when paired in conjunction or set in serial? The owl and pussycat shove off with an article each (plus honey, money, etc.). But had they been characters in a cloak and a dagger story, well--different story? The food and the drink? A game of a cat and a mouse?– Jim ReynoldsCommented Feb 2, 2015 at 18:49
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"He plays the piano and violin" would be appropriate if he plays them simultaneously, say by holding the violin tucked with his left shoulder and using his left hand to accompany himself on the piano.– Greg LeeCommented Mar 4, 2015 at 19:37
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1 Answer
"He plays the piano." and "He plays piano." are both acceptable. However, a basic rule of style is to be consistent when choosing between two acceptable forms. So, I suggest either "He plays the piano and the violin." or "He plays piano and violin.", but not "He plays the piano and violin".
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1There is no such rule. "the violin and piano" is simply the article being used with a conjunction of two nouns.– Greg LeeCommented Mar 4, 2015 at 19:40