again "A" or "THE"

Question

should I say: “can I get the bill” because we exactly know what I want to payor“can I get a bill” because I don’t care which peace of paper (with the amount) I will get?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

If you are in a restaurant, say 'Can I get the bill (or check, in NAmE), please', because you are asking for your specific bill.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Assuming the same restaurant framework as Clive does, there is only one bill you want to get -- your bill, the one that applies to you. Therefore, you must phrase it so that the person you are speaking to will not ask "Which bill?" You must phrase it so that it is clear you want your bill and no other.

If you say, "Can I get a bill?", you are, in effect, asking for any bill, you don't care if it is yours or someone else's. The waiter can bring you the bill for someone else, and that will satisfy your request, you are saying.

If you say, "Can I get the bill?", you are telling the waiter that only one particular bill will satisfy the request. No other bill can be considered the bill you asked for. Further, by using the, you are saying that you expect the waiter to use his common sense and his knowledge of the situation to determine for himself exactly which particular bill you are referring to. You do not expect the waiter to ask "Which bill?" By using the, you are saying, "And now you know exactly which bill I am talking about, so don't ask me "Which bill?", because that would be stupid. (It won't take more than a millisecond for him to realize you want your bill, of course.)

CJ

Yoyoman · Answer

Great explanations! Now the “the vs. a” issue is clearer to me. Thanks a lot!

Eimai_Anglos · Answer

In England you'd say "Can I have the bill, please?" If you mention "check" they won't know what you are talking about! (American usage only). "Get" is also typically American and would be deprecated in English.

In fact, if you want to be strictly correct, you should say: "May I have the bill, please?" or "Would you bring me the bill, please?"

You might also ask "What do I/we owe you?" or "How much do I/we owe you?" - especially in a taxi.

again "A" or "THE"

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