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Gudrun Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Article with adjective + unique noun
Dear English Speakers,
I asked earlier about the use of articles before adjectives that precede unique nouns (the sun, the sky etc.). It was confirmed that a/an/the can all be used depending on the context.
Does the same apply to unique nouns when they apply to people?
1. John, who's been in a relationship with one woman, suddenly shows up with another girl. I ask my friend:
"Is she a new girlfriend?"
"Yes, I think she is a new girlfriend."
(There is no information that he changed girlfriends and there're many girlfriends in the world in general, so I think "a" is better.)
2. I enter my office and see there is a new man sitting in the CEO's office. I am surprised.
"Who is he? A new CEO?"
"Yes, he is a new CEO".
(Still the indefinite article. Many CEOs in the world. I did not name the company).
3. A former US President writing an autobiography is ruminating about the period after he got elected:
At the time, I was a new president. I knew nothing about running a country.
(I use the indefinite article because there are many presidents in the world and were so at the time of his election).
4. Same thing as #3, but now he writes:
At the time I was the new US president. I knew nothing about running a country.
(I think the definite article is better because there was only one new US president at the time. But I am not sure)
The info I found online is very conflicting. My own understanding is that girlfriends, CEOs, there are many of them in world, so "a" in my examples is more correct. But if I were to "Microsoft CEO" or "US President", the definite article should be used. There's only one.
Can someone please help and explain?? I would be so grateful.
Gudrun
I asked earlier about the use of articles before adjectives that precede unique nouns (the sun, the sky etc.). It was confirmed that a/an/the can all be used depending on the context.
Does the same apply to unique nouns when they apply to people?
1. John, who's been in a relationship with one woman, suddenly shows up with another girl. I ask my friend:
"Is she a new girlfriend?"
"Yes, I think she is a new girlfriend."
(There is no information that he changed girlfriends and there're many girlfriends in the world in general, so I think "a" is better.)
2. I enter my office and see there is a new man sitting in the CEO's office. I am surprised.
"Who is he? A new CEO?"
"Yes, he is a new CEO".
(Still the indefinite article. Many CEOs in the world. I did not name the company).
3. A former US President writing an autobiography is ruminating about the period after he got elected:
At the time, I was a new president. I knew nothing about running a country.
(I use the indefinite article because there are many presidents in the world and were so at the time of his election).
4. Same thing as #3, but now he writes:
At the time I was the new US president. I knew nothing about running a country.
(I think the definite article is better because there was only one new US president at the time. But I am not sure)
The info I found online is very conflicting. My own understanding is that girlfriends, CEOs, there are many of them in world, so "a" in my examples is more correct. But if I were to "Microsoft CEO" or "US President", the definite article should be used. There's only one.
Can someone please help and explain?? I would be so grateful.
Gudrun
Top answer
Gudrun 1. John, who's been in a relationship with one woman, suddenly shows up with another girl. ) Both articles are fine.
- Gudrun 1.
- John, who's been in a relationship with one woman, suddenly shows up with another girl.
- ) Both articles are fine.
- 'A' because it's one of many; 'the' because girlfriends (presumably) are acquired one at a time.
- Gudrun 2.
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2 Answers
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Gudrun1. John, who's been in a relationship with one woman, suddenly shows up with another girl. I ask my friend:"Is she a new girlfriend?""Yes, I think she is a new girlfriend."(There is no information that he changed girlfriends and there're many girlfriends in the world in general, so I think "a" is better.)Both articles are fine. 'A' because it's one of
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Mister Micawber,
Thank you so much for your answer! This is very good.
Best,
Gudrun
Thank you so much for your answer! This is very good.
Best,
Gudrun
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