Article-THE / A

Question

Hai,everyoneIndefinite article "a",used in certain phrase,like a +or two,then a cannot be replaced by one.For instances,I'll be right back in a day or two.But i can't say that i'll be right back in one day or two day.i want to buy a book or two.But i can't say that i want to buy one book or two.Is this rule of indefinite article ''a' correct ?Indefinite article "a" and "of" use together  can express the meaning of "THE SAME".For examples,We are of an age.That means that our ages are the same.They are of an anger now.That means They are being angry now.Indefinite article "a" and "of" use together  can also express the meaning of "LIKE"They live in a palace of a house.That means They live in a house that likes a palace.They eat a stone of a muffin.That means They eat a muffin like a stone.Is it right?Thanks in advanced

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Hi, everyone.

I'll be right back in one day or two days.-- This is OK when you are being more specific.

I want to buy one book or two.-- This is OK when you are being more specific.

Is this rule of indefinite article ''a' correct?-- I'm not sure what you understand as a 'rule'. 'A day/book or two' is a semi-fixed phrase meaning 'a very few days/books'.

Indefinite article "a" and "of" use together can express the meaning of "THE SAME".-- Only with some nouns, and it is a very limited, rather old-fashioned formation.

We are of an age.-- OK. Actually, for the meaning 'same', I cannot offhand think of only one other noun besides 'age' that this structure can be used with: 'of a mind'.

They are of an anger now.--Not intelligible in English

Indefinite article "a" and "of" use together can also express the meaning of "LIKE"-- Yes

They live in a palace of a house.-- OK. Again, only certain nouns (a longer list than above, however) will fit into this structure.

They eat a stone of a muffin.-- Not intelligible in English

Thanks in advance

Franklin Ong · Answer

The rule what i mean is a +or two.

According to my grammar book,it states 'a' +singular countable noun and is followed by the phrase 'or two', then 'a' cannot be replaced by one.Is it correct?

I can say that i want to buy an umbrella or two.Yet,can i say i want to buy one umbrella or two ?

So that, "a" and "of" use together expresses "THE SAME" only with some nouns, and it is a very limited, rather old-fashioned formation.That means we rarely use this form nowadays and is commonly replaced by "the same".Doesn't it ?

But can you tell some nouns are still able to express 'THE SAME' with the structure ?

Can you tell certain nouns still fit into this structure to mean 'like' ?

Mister Micawber · Answer

I have already answered most of those questions, if you will read my previous post carefully. I cannot come up with a comprehensive list, no, but offhand:

a **** of a party/game/fight/etc.
a giant of a man
a prince of a fellow

Article-THE / A

then a cannot be replaced by one.

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