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Lcchang Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Article question here

0Dear teacher,02br
02br
00Please read the following sentence:02br
02br
01font00The invention of 01b00the02b00 elevator made skyscrapers possible.02font02br
02br
00My question is, since we don't have any "elevator" in mind, why do we have to use a definite article for the word elevator? Can we omit the article but just saying "elevator" alone?02br
02br
00Many thanks,02br
02br
00Peacenik0-
  

Top answer

02font 02br 02br 01font 00My question is, since we don't have any "elevator" in mind, why do we have to use a definite article for the word elevator? 02font 00When we speak of an item in general like this, we say 'the'. Perhaps it is because, in a context like this, we are speaking01i 00 specifically02i 00 of 01i 00the 02i 00elevator, not 01i 00the02i 00 wheel, not 01i 00the 02i 00telephone.

— Clive

  • 02font 02br 02br 01font 00My question is, since we don't have any "elevator" in mind, why do we have to use a definite article for the word elevator?
  • 02font 00When we speak of an item in general like this, we say 'the'.
  • Perhaps it is because, in a context like this, we are speaking01i 00 specifically02i 00 of 01i 00the 02i 00elevator, not 01i 00the02i 00 wheel, not 01i 00the 02i 00telephone.
  • 02br 02br 01font 00 00Of course, you could just use the plural.
  • 02font 00 No, you need an article, or something similar, because it is a singular, countable noun.
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2 Answers
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0Hi,02br
02br
01font00The invention of 01b00the02b00 elevator made skyscrapers possible.02font02br
02br
01font00My question is, since we don't have any "elevator" in mind, why do we have to use a definite article for the word elevator? 02font00When we speak
0
0
0 I understand now. Thanks. 0-
0

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