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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
a/an to describe a particular instance??
When the article system was introduced for the first time in class, I learned that "the" is used to mention something specific. For example, "the" dog indicates specific dog while "a" dog indicates any of one dog.
However, I found such an explanation on my grammar book today;
"If we want to describe a particular instance of these we can use a/an.
Compare:
I could see the plane high up in the sky. and
When I woke uo there was a bright blue sky.
What are your plans for the future? and
She dreamt of a future where she could spend more time painting."
Yes, I can understand "a" bright blue sky/future where she could spend~ is more specific, but...what is the difference between "a" to mention any of something (ex. "a" dog)??? I'm so confused now...
However, I found such an explanation on my grammar book today;
"If we want to describe a particular instance of these we can use a/an.
Compare:
I could see the plane high up in the sky. and
When I woke uo there was a bright blue sky.
What are your plans for the future? and
She dreamt of a future where she could spend more time painting."
Yes, I can understand "a" bright blue sky/future where she could spend~ is more specific, but...what is the difference between "a" to mention any of something (ex. "a" dog)??? I'm so confused now...
Top answer
Anonymous For example, "the" dog indicates specific dog while "a" dog indicates any of one dog. This is an oversimplified explanation. It's useful because it explains the majority of cases, but it doesn't really explain all cases.
- Anonymous For example, "the" dog indicates specific dog while "a" dog indicates any of one dog.
- This is an oversimplified explanation.
- It's useful because it explains the majority of cases, but it doesn't really explain all cases.
- I bought a dog.
- Here it's a specific dog, not any dog, even though it's correctly written as "a dog".
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1 Answers
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Anonymous For example, "the" dog indicates specific dog while "a" dog indicates any of one dog.This is an oversimplified explanation. It's useful because it explains the majority of cases, but it doesn't really explain all cases.
I bought a dog. Here it's a specific dog, not any dog, even though it's correctly written as "a dog".
So
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