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Victork Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
A taxi or the taxi
Hello, could one of the native speakers help me with the article use in the following situation.
I share a ride with a pretty woman in a taxi one evening. I tell my friend about it a few hours later. "John, I shared a ride with a pretty woman in a taxi today."
Two weeks later I see the woman in the street. I tell my friend, "Hey, remember I told you about the pretty woman with whom I shared a ride in a/the taxi?"
Should it be "a taxi" or "the taxi" the second time around? The taxi has already been mentioned, but two weeks passed and the taxi itself is not that important - it could have been any taxi. With the woman it's simple: I use "the pretty woman" because it's pretty definite (the one I shared a ride with), but the taxi?
Are both possible?
Thank you…!
Vic
I share a ride with a pretty woman in a taxi one evening. I tell my friend about it a few hours later. "John, I shared a ride with a pretty woman in a taxi today."
Two weeks later I see the woman in the street. I tell my friend, "Hey, remember I told you about the pretty woman with whom I shared a ride in a/the taxi?"
Should it be "a taxi" or "the taxi" the second time around? The taxi has already been mentioned, but two weeks passed and the taxi itself is not that important - it could have been any taxi. With the woman it's simple: I use "the pretty woman" because it's pretty definite (the one I shared a ride with), but the taxi?
Are both possible?
Thank you…!
Vic
Top answer
victork The taxi has already been mentioned, but two weeks passed and the taxi itself is not that important - it could have been any taxi. Your reasoning is correct. The second time around you ask your friend if he remembers the pretty woman you shared a ride with in a taxi.
- victork The taxi has already been mentioned, but two weeks passed and the taxi itself is not that important - it could have been any taxi.
- Your reasoning is correct.
- The second time around you ask your friend if he remembers the pretty woman you shared a ride with in a taxi.
- CJ
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5 Answers
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victorkThe taxi has already been mentioned, but two weeks passed and the taxi itself is not that important - it could have been any taxi.Your reasoning is correct. The second time around you ask your friend if he remembers the pretty woman you shared a ride with in a taxi.
CJ
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CalifJim victorkThe taxi has already been mentioned, but two weeks passed and the taxi itself is not that important - it could have been any taxi.Your reasoning is correct. The second time around you ask your friend if he remembers the pretty woman you shared a ride with in a taxi.CJHey, CJ, thanks a lot! I am becoming almost a pro at this! Just for my own kn
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victorkHey, CJ, thanks a lot! I am becoming almost a pro at this!Don't count your chickens before they've hatched!
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CalifJim has already responded, thoroughly as he always does; and I have nothing else to add, really, other than to keep in mind that the indefinite articles (a, an) are often used to lessen the emphasis, as in "some ___", while the definite article is used for greater emphasis, as in "that ___".
What this means is that, although I'd also be inclined to say, "Remember, I tol
What this means is that, although I'd also be inclined to say, "Remember, I tol
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Hey CJ and Xerxes, thanks a lot!!! Very clear now!! You guys are awesome!!!
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