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Mitsuo23 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
"an apple" vs "any apple"
Hi,
It is my understanding that to ask somebody if he likes apples in general, I need to say, “Do you like apples?” not “Do you like an apple?”
But at the same time, I know “a” has a meaning of “any” in some context, e.g., “Can you ride a bike?”
So I guess I am wondering, what it sounds like to the native speakers if somebody mistakenly says, “Do you like an apple?” Does it sound like “any apple” or more like “a single apple out of many others”?
Thank you,
M
It is my understanding that to ask somebody if he likes apples in general, I need to say, “Do you like apples?” not “Do you like an apple?”
But at the same time, I know “a” has a meaning of “any” in some context, e.g., “Can you ride a bike?”
So I guess I am wondering, what it sounds like to the native speakers if somebody mistakenly says, “Do you like an apple?” Does it sound like “any apple” or more like “a single apple out of many others”?
Thank you,
M
Top answer
I would regard it as a mistake. " (a question)
- I would regard it as a mistake.
- " (a question)
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3 Answers
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I would regard it as a mistake.
Context would tell me whether it was supposed to be "Would you like an apple?" (an offer) or "Do you like apples?" (a question)
Context would tell me whether it was supposed to be "Would you like an apple?" (an offer) or "Do you like apples?" (a question)
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mitsuwao23I am wondering, what it sounds like to the native speakers if somebody mistakenly says, “Do you like an apple?”It sounds like you have not yet mastered English, and you need to practice more.
mitsuwao23Does it sound like “any apple” or more like “a single apple out of many others”?Believe me. It doesn't sound li
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CalifJimIt sounds like you have not yet mastered English, and you need to practice more.absolutely.
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