Is the measure word optional in 这件毛衣?

Question

I've heard the sentence `这毛衣`, (so without measure word), but my chinese manual always use a measure word after `这`: > 这件毛衣 > > 这件苹果 Is the measure word optionnal in after `这` ?

Answer 1

You said 这件毛衣 is correct, but for "apple" you have to say 这个苹果.

Answer 2

You are right. In spoken Chinese you will often hear 这+noun, and it is short for 这+measure word+noun.