'A' against 'The'

Question

I don't distinguish the cases for 'a' and 'the' use in a sentence. For example: The goal is to find an/the answer. Please help.

Hitchhiker · Accepted Answer

I'm not a teacher, but I can tell you that the meaning is different for these two sentences:

The goal is to find a briefcase (We need to find any briefcase)

The goal is to find the briefcase (We need to find a specific briefcase)

Jacko · Answer

Just to add, "a" is used stringently for singular unspecified nouns or noun phrases. On the other hand, "the" is used for either singular or plural particular nouns or noun phrases.

SH · Answer

0 this is very good question. 02br
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00we use 'the' for a particular noun. 02br
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00for an example. 02br
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00There was a dog out side our door last night . The dog was barking very loudly. 0-

CalifJim · Answer

0 Welcome to English Forums! 02br
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00If the goal is to find an answer, it doesn't matter which answer (of several possible answers) you find. Maybe you want to find an answer just to finish your homework. You feel tired and just want to put down some answer, any answer, just to say that you've finished your homework. Maybe tomorrow in class you'll find out if your attempt at an answer is correct. 02br
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00If the goal is to find the answer, you are trying to find one particular answer. That answer is presumably the correct answer, and it is the only answer that will do, the only answer that is satisfactory in fulfilling your goal to find the answer. 02br
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00CJ 0-

'A' against 'The'

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