a, an, the, -

Question

(1) ---- maps show (2) ---- main features of (3) ---- area, and (4) ---- ways that relate one area to another. In (5) ---- upper left corner of (6) ---- real map, there is always (7) ---- compass rose that shows you which way is (8) ---- north. Of course (9) ---- distances on (10) ---- map are much shorter than (11) ---- distances in (12) ---- real world, and (13) ---- scale in (14) ---- bottom left corner helps you to estimate (15) ---- real distance.

my answers:
1. -
2. the
3. an
4. the
5. the
6. a
7. a
8. the
9. the
10. a
11. the
12. the
13. the
14. the
15. the

What do you think?

Yankee · Accepted Answer

Hi Diamondrg

#8. -- (no article)
#9. and #11. -- These two sound better to me with no article, but I wouldn't say using 'the' is wrong. Either both should be without an article (my preference), or both with 'the'.

Diamondrg · Answer

YankeeHi Diamondrg

#8. -- (no article)
#9. and #11. -- These two sound better to me with no article, but I wouldn't say using 'the' is wrong. Either both should be without an article (my preference), or both with 'the'.

What about 4 and 13? They are similar to 9 and 11?

Yankee · Answer

.
To be honest, I don't really understand (like) the usage of the word "ways" (4) in the sentence -- it seems like that part of the sentence ought to be " ...the routes that connect one area to another". But, no matter what is intended, I'd say you need 'the' with 4 and also with 13.

Believer · Answer

Thank you.

Can an argument be made that No. 10 could have "the" rather than "a." The article started with discussing what the map is by saying maps are "that"; thus, I think, you can say "distance on the map" because, eventhough not a direct reference but a reasonable reference has been made.

What do you think? Should it be "distance on a map" and not "distance on the map"? Could it both?

Mr Patrick · Answer

"and (4) ---- ways that relate one area to another."

I'm with Yankee on this one. The above phrase sounds really bad to my ears. I would much prefer and the ways in which one area relates to another.

I also agree that (10) could be either a or the, depending on whether you accept that we are still talking about the same map that was first introduced in (6).

Regards,

Patrick

Diamondrg · Answer

Of course (9) ---- distances on (10) ---- map are much shorter than (11) ---- distances in (12) ---- real world ...

No, in 10 only "a" is possible. If you watch the tone of the sentence, you will notice that it speaks of maps in general. No specific map is mentioned.

Diamondrg · Answer

Yankee.
To be honest, I don't really understand (like) the usage of the word "ways" (4) in the sentence -- it seems like that part of the sentence ought to be " ...the routes that connect one area to another". But, no matter what is intended, I'd say you need 'the' with 4 and also with 13.

Hi, Yankee. I think you are a native speaker. Why can't we use "-" when referring to "ways" in general. Well, I can see that "that connect one area to another" makes "ways" definite and that this is a reason why "the" should be used. But the same thing is true of "distances" as well. Why do you think "distances" can be used with zero article but "ways" can't?

Believer · Answer

Hi,

In regard to No. 10, would it be that if we mometarily delete the second sentence for the purpose of clearly elaborating on my question, will my case make sense?

Maps show the main features of an area and the ways that relate one area to another. (Delete the second sentence.) Of course distances on the map are much shorter than distances on the real world.

My question/argument is "Can an argument be made that since we defined generally what maps are, can we take it for grant that any map that will be mentioned in the latter sentences can take on the article 'the'?"

As to the question of why the noun "way" take on the article "the" and the noun "distances" does not, If I may answer that, I would laid out my personal explanation like this:

Maps show the main feature of an area, and the ways that relate one are to another.

(HERE, the following clause is very solid in terms of mentioning the ways and focusing on the ways; the whole sentence is talking about the maps and giving out the definition as to what they are.)

Of course, distances on the map are much shorter that distances in the real world.

(HERE, the forces that grasping the content is rather loose. It is "distance of a or the map" and distance in the real world, not referring to any identifiable or specific distance on any particular map but the distance in general.)

Cool Breeze · Answer

There seem to be a few scientists in this discussion. Linguistics and English are not an exact science in which one can always arrive at the right conclusion by employing logic. Few native speakers will enter into lengthy discussions of that type. And I understand the reasons. They have expressed their opinions, which reflect actual usage and appear to conflict with yours, and I think that will be all as far as they are concerned. I agree with the natives; ways, in particular, is badly off in this context.

Diamondrg · Answer

Yes, I am a scientist and English is an illogical language. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' alt='Emotion: wink'/>

a, an, the, -

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