Comparatives

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Hi! What is the difference? Thanks, Fulvio
1. Which is faster, a car or a train?
2. Which is faster, the car or the train?
3. Which is faster, the cheetah or the leopard?
4. Which is faster, a cheetah or a leopard?

Should I use "the" if I want to make a comparison of a particular train? For example Which is faster the Eurostar train or the Railjet train?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

yellowstarstruck1. Which is faster, a car or a train? ...4. Which is faster, a cheetah or a leopard?

Generic reference. Equivalent to Which are faster, cars or trains? (comparing cars in general to trains in general)
Likewise for cheetahs and leopards.

yellowstarstruck2. Which is faster, the car or the train? ... 3. Which is faster, the cheetah or the leopard?

Specific reference OR generic reference. Specific reference is to one specific car and one specific train known to the people who are talking about them.
Likewise for the cheetahs and leopards.

Because the form with "the" can be ambiguous, it's better in my opinion not to use "the" when you want to express generic reference. Besides, there are two other ways to express generic reference (shown above).

yellowstarstruckShould I use "the" if I want to make a comparison of a particular train? For example Which is faster the Eurostar train or the Railjet train?

Yes, you should.

CJ

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