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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
a follow-up question that is begging for an answer
1. Can you look at these two sentences and kindly tell me why it is right for the first sentence to have the article a in all places and to have the article the in all places for the second sentence?
1. This play script contains a first part, a second part and a third part, and the first part sets the scene for the rest of the play.
2. This play script has the best part, the second best part and the third best part, for the actors to play, and we will decide who will play which part latter.
Obviously, the meaning of part for two sentences is different but (let us) be reminded that these sentences are being introduced for the first time with no prior mentioning or precedence. It seems like that the words like best are always modified with the, while most other words I can think of at the moment (I am sure you can imagine what they are) are modified with a. Why is that?
2. I think this is the same line of inquiry. Why the third sentence needs to have the determiner the and should not have the article a for the previous two sentences?
1. Prepare a first draft.
2. Write a second draft
3. Write the final assignment.
1. This play script contains a first part, a second part and a third part, and the first part sets the scene for the rest of the play.
2. This play script has the best part, the second best part and the third best part, for the actors to play, and we will decide who will play which part latter.
Obviously, the meaning of part for two sentences is different but (let us) be reminded that these sentences are being introduced for the first time with no prior mentioning or precedence. It seems like that the words like best are always modified with the, while most other words I can think of at the moment (I am sure you can imagine what they are) are modified with a. Why is that?
2. I think this is the same line of inquiry. Why the third sentence needs to have the determiner the and should not have the article a for the previous two sentences?
1. Prepare a first draft.
2. Write a second draft
3. Write the final assignment.
Top answer
Best is a superlative. Good, better, the best. Drafts are at the pleasure of their writer (= the listener), and there could be several potential first drafts, in the thinking of the speaker.
- Best is a superlative.
- Good, better, the best.
- Drafts are at the pleasure of their writer (= the listener), and there could be several potential first drafts, in the thinking of the speaker.
- There is, however, only one final assignment, which is in the control of the speaker.
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1 Answers
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Best is a superlative. Good, better, the best.
Drafts are at the pleasure of their writer (= the listener), and there could be several potential first drafts, in the thinking of the speaker. There is, however, only one final assignment, which is in the control of the speaker.
Drafts are at the pleasure of their writer (= the listener), and there could be several potential first drafts, in the thinking of the speaker. There is, however, only one final assignment, which is in the control of the speaker.
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