A/the bank, park, hospital, etc.

Question

I understand that native speakers would say:

I'm going to the bank.

I'm going to the park.

I'm going to the hospital. (American English)

How would you say in the following situations?

1. Somebody asks me when I am in town. S/he says, "Where can I cash my traveler's checks?"

Is it possible to say, "You can cash them at a bank," or "You can cash them at the bank," or "You can cash them at banks."?

Situation: There are several banks in town.

2. I say to a friend of mine, "Let's make some sandwiches, go to a park, and eat them."

Situation: There are several parks near my house. I haven't decided which one to go to.

4. I say to somebody, "Your wife was taken to a hospital."

Situation: There are several hospitals around here.

RayH · Accepted Answer

SnappyIs it possible to say, "You can cash them at a bank," or "You can cash them at the bank," or "You can cash them at banks."?

Situation: There are several banks in town.

I don't think you will hear most people say "You can cash them at banks" although it's certainly possible. You are more likely to hear "You can cash them at any bank." "the bank" would mean that the speaker has a particular bank in mind (probably the one he uses or maybe the nearest one) even if there are other banks around. "a bank" would mean that the speaker does not have a particular bank in mind.

SnappySituation: There are several parks near my house. I haven't decided which one to go to.

Correct.

Snappy4. I say to somebody, "Your wife was taken to a hospital."

Situation: There are several hospitals around here.

You won't hear this much if at all. No matter how many hospitals there are, after someone has been taken to one you know (even if you don't know which one) that it is a particular one and you will most likely say "the hospital." (In AmE, at least)

Snappy · Answer

Thank you! It is very informative.

A/the bank, park, hospital, etc.

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