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Reegis Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Could you help me prepare [the] dinner tonight?

Hello.

1) Could you help me prepare dinner tonight?
2) Could you help me prepare the dinner tonight?

Which of the sentences above is correct and sound natural?

I am familiar with the basic rules regarding 'dinner' and usually it takes the zero article. For example 'to have dinner' or 'to go to dinner'. However, I am wondering whether 'tonight' changes anything here - perhaps does it make 'dinner' specific enough to justify 'the'?

Also, I understand that when 'dinner' means a banquet we should say:

3) Could you help me prepare the dinner/banquet tonight?

  

Top answer

1) Could you help me prepare dinner tonight? 2) Could you help me prepare the dinner tonight? Which of the sentences above is correct and sound natural?

— Clive

  • 1) Could you help me prepare dinner tonight?
  • 2) Could you help me prepare the dinner tonight?
  • Which of the sentences above is correct and sound natural?
  • We usually don't use an article.
  • The word 'prepare' is rather formal.
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1 Answers
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1) Could you help me prepare dinner tonight?
2) Could you help me prepare the dinner tonight?

Which of the sentences above is correct and sound natural?

We usually don't use an article.

The word 'prepare' is rather formal.

More natural is eg Can you help me with dinner tonight?

The word 'tonight' doesn't requir

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