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Wowenglish Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
A/the
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I would like to know the difference between "1" and "2".
A: I have a cold
B(1): You should see a doctor.
B(2): You should see the doctor.
I would like to know the difference between "1" and "2".
A: I have a cold
B(1): You should see a doctor.
B(2): You should see the doctor.
Top answer
1. You should see a doctor = any doctor, it doesn't matter which doctor. Here, the speaker does not have a specific doctor in mind.
- 1.
- You should see a doctor = any doctor, it doesn't matter which doctor.
- Here, the speaker does not have a specific doctor in mind.
- 2.
- You should see the doctor = a specific doctor that is known to both the speaker and the hearer, or that has already been mentioned in the conversation.
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2 Answers
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1. You should see a doctor = any doctor, it doesn't matter which doctor. Here, the speaker does not have a specific doctor in mind.
2. You should see the doctor = a specific doctor that is known to both the speaker and the hearer, or that has already been mentioned in the conversation.
2. You should see the doctor = a specific doctor that is known to both the speaker and the hearer, or that has already been mentioned in the conversation.
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Hi,
What you say about specific and non-specific is normally true, eg a chair / the chair.
However, there are some special cases where we can use 'the' is a non-specific way, and 'the doctor' is one such case.
eg Ever since I was a child, I've hated going to the doctor.
Best wishes, Clive
What you say about specific and non-specific is normally true, eg a chair / the chair.
However, there are some special cases where we can use 'the' is a non-specific way, and 'the doctor' is one such case.
eg Ever since I was a child, I've hated going to the doctor.
Best wishes, Clive
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