anaesthetic : 'the'

Question

1. How long will I be under 'the' anaesthetic?2. The operation is performed under anaesthetic.Why does 'anaesthetic' carry article in the first sentence, and why not in the second sentence?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Because the article is optional unless the anaesthetic has already been specified.

Enoon · Answer

Why does 'anaesthetic' carry an article in the first sentence, and why not in the second sentence?

Native speakers have trouble explaining these things, because we never think about them, so please forgive me if I fail.

You wonder how long you will be under the anaesthetic because you know which anaesthetic you are talking about—the one you will be under.

Sodium is stored under kerosene, any kerosene, to keep it from bursting into flame. But if you had a can of kerosene sitting there, and somebody asked you where the sodium was, you might say that it was under the kerosene—that kerosene right there. In the same way, an operation might always be performed under anaesthetic, not the anaesthetic.

Contraposition · Answer

<i>OK</i><br/>CP

Anonymous · Answer

In the US this would be said as:

1. How long will I be under anesthesia?

2. The operation is performed under anesthesia.

anaesthetic : 'the'

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