A/the street

Question

Hey guys,Article use - need help!He was walking down a street in Singapore.He was walking down the street in Singapore.One morning, she was driving down a road in Singapore when....One morning, she was driving down the road in Singapore when....I see writers use both the definite/indefinite article, even though in these examples the road and the street are mentioned for the first time.I have consulted my sage teacher; he says either is correct, with a slight distinction. "A street/road" means any street road; "the street/road" generally suggests "anywhere, outside".Is this correct? I would like the native speakers' input.!Thank you!!Doris

Kareem Ahmed · Accepted Answer

Yep, your teacher's perfectly right.

DorisPao · Answer

Are you sure..?

CalifJim · Answer

DorisPaoa street in Singapore ...

Both 'a' and 'the' suggest that the identity of the street or road does not matter, that it has no relevance for your story. That has the effect of shifting the emphasis on the rest of the sentence: walking (somewhere in Singapore), driving (somewhere in Singapore).

The reason you can do this is that 'walking' already implies walking somewhere like a street and 'driving' already implies driving somewhere like a road. Further, streets and roads are public. You can't just walk nowhere or drive nowhere.

In contrast, you don't have to eat in a restaurant. Eating does not imply a restaurant. Therefore:

He was eating in a restaurant in Singapore suggests any restaurant.
He was eating in the restaurant in Singapore is a bit anomalous without further context, as if there were only one restaurant in Singapore.

CJ

DorisPao · Answer

Thank you, CalifJim. Generous and insightful as always! Thank you.

Anonymous · Answer

DorisPaoHe was walking down the street in Singapore.

This gives the impression that you're referring to one street in particular. It's odd because you have not, already mentioned which one.

A/the street

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