Can all these expressions be used commonly?

Question

In this context, are all these expressions possible? Also, which would you choose a/the in this context for hospital?

In my understanding, "a" means just any of the hospitals, and "the" means possibly "the nearest hospital."

I saw a child fall off the platform. Miraculously, (. ). Even so, he was taken to a/the hospital just in case.

1) he wasn't hurt at all.
2) he wasn't injured at all.
3) he didn't get a single scratch.
4) he got away without a scratch.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

teacherJapanIn this context, are all these expressions possible?

Yes.

teacherJapanAlso, which would you choose a/the in this context for hospital?

All are fine; it depends upon who I'm talking to.

TeacherJapan · Answer

Thank you very much. Should I use "on him?" In this case?  He didn't get a single scratch on him.  Or can I just omit it?

Mister Micawber · Answer

teacherJapan Or can I just omit it?

Yes, it is clear who didn't get scratched.

Anonymous · Answer

teacherJapanIn my understanding, "a" means just any of the hospitals, and "the" means possibly "the nearest hospital."

You can use "a" to mean one hospital but, you are not mentioning which one in particular.

In general, using "the" would mean a particular hospital, not necessarily the nearest. There is an exception to this in American English which uses "the hospital", even when not mentioning a particular example.

You could use any of your suggestions but, 1 would be the simplest. It would be even simpler without "at all".

If you have already mentioned a particular platform, use "the" before it. If you have not, use "a".

TeacherJapan · Answer

Thank you very much for your advice:)

Can all these expressions be used commonly?

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