Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19

[GoodTaste]

Compare the two headlines: Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19 and Hydroxychloroquine for the Prevention of Covid-19, what is the difference? One is without the article and the other with it.

We are used to drop articles in a headline to spare space. But if the space was sufficient, it would be better to add articles back because with articles it appears clearer and more accurate. Am I on the right track thinking so?

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EDITORIAL


Hydroxychloroquine for the Prevention of Covid-19
— Searching for Evidence
List of authors.
Myron S. Cohen, M.D.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has generated a worldwide pandemic. The interruption of its spread depends on a combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. Initial SARS-CoV-2 prevention includes social distancing, the use of face masks, environmental hygiene, and hand washing.1 Although the most important pharmacologic interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection are likely to be vaccines, the repurposing of established drugs for short-term prophylaxis is another, more immediate option.

Source: New England Journal of Medicine June 3, 2020
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2020388

 

[tedmc]

Yes, articles are dropped in headlines for the sake of brevity.

 

[GoesStation]

Compare the two headlines: Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19 and Hydroxychloroquine for the Prevention of Covid-19, what is the difference? One is without the article and the other with it.

We are used to dropping articles in a headline to [STRIKE]spare[/STRIKE] save space. But if the space [STRIKE]was[/STRIKE] were sufficient, it would be better to add the articles back because with [STRIKE]articles[/STRIKE] them it appears clearer and more accurate. Am I on the right track thinking so?

There's no difference in meaning or "accuracy" with or without the article. It's just a matter of style.

In case you're wondering, I changed was to were because the sentence it's in makes an assertion contrary to fact and I find the subjunctive more natural there. Many native speakers would not notice this and would be happy with the indicative.

 

[jutfrank]

I can't see the headline without the article. Where is it?

 

[Tdol]

We are used to drop articles in a headline to spare space.

used to dropping