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Nimble Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

A OR THE

Hi

I wonder if anybody could help me, It is regarding use of either "A" or "The" in the following sentence:

1. I am on the train or

2. Iam on a train

Please explain which one is correct and why

Thanks

Rafi-Muqaddar
  

Top answer

«A» implies a class of objects. «I am on a train» means that the vehicle you are on (in) belongs to the class of trains. «The» implies a certain element of a class: A mobile phone convesation: — Have you arrived?

— Ant_222

  • «A» implies a class of objects.
  • «I am on a train» means that the vehicle you are on (in) belongs to the class of trains.
  • «The» implies a certain element of a class: A mobile phone convesation: — Have you arrived?
  • — No, I am still on the train.
  • Here «the» is used because a specific train is meant.
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3 Answers
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«A» implies a class of objects.

«I am on a train» means that the vehicle you are on (in) belongs to the class of trains.

«The» implies a certain element of a class:

A mobile phone convesation:
— Have you arrived?
— No, I am still on the train.

Here «the» is used because a specific train is meant.

EDIT: so, the both of your examples are grammat
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NimbleHi

I wonder if anybody could help me, It is regarding use of either "A" or "The" in the following sentence:

1. I am on the train orYou (and probably the audience/reader) know which train you are on.

2. Iam on a trainWhich train is unimportant or unknown.

Please explain whi
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Hi Philip,

I am on the train.

I have a question. Being cognizant of the fact that you are in a particular train, does that in itself a sufficiently sound reason to earn the merit of having to put the definite article "the"?

I thought the basic rule is that both parties, including you, have to be aware of the thing being talked about and merely one party having
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