An/The orange on the table is rotten.

Question

Hello teachers,I have a question on articles.Suppose there is an orange on a table.  A boy picks up the orange and finds out that it's gone bad.  Then, the boy might (or might not) say the followings:1.  Mom, the orange on the table is rotten.2.  Mom, an orange on the table is rotten.(pls be sure that there is one and only one orange on the table.)Are both statements possible?If so, what are the difference in meanings?And for #1, are there more than one interpretations?Thanks.

Doctor D · Accepted Answer

Normally, when you say
"The orange on the table is rotten"
you mean that there is only one orange on the table and that it is rotten.
There could be other oranges, but they are not on the table.

If you say
"An orange on the table is rotten"
You mean that there are several oranges on the table, but only one of them is rotten. But it would be better expressed as "One of the oranges on the table is rotten."

Hope this helps.

Handtalk · Answer

Thank you for the reply, Doctor D.

For the first sentence, "The orange on the table is rotten", you mentioned there could be other oranges.

In that respect, would adding commas like sentence #2 below change the meaning?

1. The orange on the table is rotten.

2. The orange, on the table, is rotten.

Could you explain the difference?

Thanks.

handtalk

CalifJim · Answer

handtalkwould adding commas like sentence #2 below change the meaning?

No. Adding commas would just turn it into an incorrectly punctuated sentence.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

handtalkA boy picks up the orange and finds out that it's gone bad.

Then it's not on the table anymore. He says, "Mom, this orange is rotten".

If he puts it back on the table, then he can say that the orange on the table is rotten.

CJ

Handtalk · Answer

Thanks for the reply CalifJim.

Well, suppose the orange is still on the table

,then the boy says "The orange on the table is rotten."

This, I think, could mean either 1 or 2 below.

1. The orange is rotten. But, there is likely to be some others, maybe in the fridge.

2. Simply, the specific oragne on the table is rotten.

I was trying to eliminate the ambiguity and mean #2 by the futile effort of putting commas...

handtalk

Doctor D · Answer

Try:

The orange that is on the table is rotten.

CalifJim · Answer

Well, suppose the orange is still on the table

OK

,then the boy says "The orange on the table is rotten." Yes, he does.
This, I think, could mean either 1 or 2 below.
1. The orange is rotten. But, there is likely to be some others, maybe in the fridge. It doesn't mean this. There is no implication that there are any other oranges, and if there are other oranges, nothing is being said about them. Nothing is said about anything else -- only the orange on the table.
2. Simply, the specific oragne on the table is rotten. Yes. This is all it means.

CJ

Handtalk · Answer

Thanks Doctor D.

"The orange that is on the table is rotton." seems to serve my needs. (This sentence seems to have the meaning of #2)

But then, I thought about using "which" in the place of "that", for I learned that "that" is interchangeable with "which".

Strangely though, I feel the sentence "The orange which is on the table is rotten." has the meaning of #1, instead of #2...

I would like you opinion.

I may be asking too many questions, but I feel so curious and just couldn't help.

I will really really appreciate you help.

handtalk

Handtalk · Answer

Thanks CalifJim.

So, "The orange on the table is rotten." is a simple statement, no implication of comparing.

hmmm... difficut...

Then, Is there difference in these sentences below?

"The orange on the table is rotten.

"The orange that is on the table is rotten.

"The orange which is on the table is rotten.

handtalk

Doctor D · Answer

In American English, "that" is used for restrictive clauses and "which" for non-restrictive clauses. British English, I am told, does not always make this distinction.

"The orange on the table is rotten."
Yes, you are pointing to a rotten orange. Nothing more about oranges can be deduced.

"The orange that is on the table is rotten. "
The phrase "that is on the table" identifies which orange you are talking about. It is likely that there are other oranges, so you are pointing out the correct orange.

"The orange, which is on the table, is rotten."

In this case, the phrase "which is on the table" is a side remark and can be eliminated without harming the sense. There is probably only one orange in the room.

I hope this answers your questions.

An/The orange on the table is rotten.

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