What do you think is the difference between:
Achieve better work/life balance
and
Achieve a better work/life balance
The discussion may be academic, but I know what my preference is, and I need to be able to defend it.
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9What do you think the difference is? And how would you defend that position?– Andrew Leach ♦Aug 3, 2012 at 15:39
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I was somewhat deliciously vague for a reason. This phrase is in a professional body of work, specifically a reference architecture. I make the distinction between the two as the first is an ongoing endeavor and the second is a goal.– Robert S.Aug 3, 2012 at 22:08
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2 Answers
I'd posit that the second is more readable, since it gives the reader the early hint: "Achieve a better... {something}" The reader already knows it will be a singular thing that is better.
Meanwhile, the first example requires the reader to read the entire phrase, then calculate/ponder until the meaning becomes clear: "Achieve better work.." --not yet clear-- "..better work/life.." --still calculating the meaning-- .."balance." --now recalculate the whole phrase-- and then the meaning appears.
Obviously not a tremendous difference, but a difference nonetheless.
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Being both readable and understandable as you said, the second one is less "cro-magnon". The addition of A is an article and it help to connect words in sentences so they are clearer. The clearer the better, not to be redundant, but in this case, helps to understand faster.– BilleebAug 3, 2012 at 20:14
Both are readily understandable but my preference is for the inclusion of 'a.' You are saying "achieve a better balance between work and life" (presumably work as a proportion of life!)
