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John liao Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
definite height and indefinite steps? new concept English 3.5
The article began: 'Hundreds of steps lead to the high wall which surrounds the president's palace.' The editor at once sent the journalist a fax instructing him to find out the exact number of steps and the height of the wall.
Why steps are used as indefinite article and height is used as definite here?
Why steps are used as indefinite article and height is used as definite here?
Top answer
It doesn't make sense to say that steps are "used as" indefinite article, or height is "used as" definite. If you meant to say that an indefinite article is used with "steps", then this is not true. "steps" does not have any article.
- It doesn't make sense to say that steps are "used as" indefinite article, or height is "used as" definite.
- If you meant to say that an indefinite article is used with "steps", then this is not true.
- "steps" does not have any article.
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3 Answers
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It doesn't make sense to say that steps are "used as" indefinite article, or height is "used as" definite. If you meant to say that an indefinite article is used with "steps", then this is not true. "steps" does not have any article.
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Sorry, my question is why a definite article is used with "height" but steps which also mentioned previously stand without "the" ahead?
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"steps" and "height" belong to different phrases.
"steps" is part of the phrase "the exact number of steps". This set pattern does not use an article before the plural noun. For example, "the number of cars", "the number of houses", "the number of people", etc.
"height" is part of the phrase "the height of the wall". This pattern normally takes the definite article before the wor
"steps" is part of the phrase "the exact number of steps". This set pattern does not use an article before the plural noun. For example, "the number of cars", "the number of houses", "the number of people", etc.
"height" is part of the phrase "the height of the wall". This pattern normally takes the definite article before the wor
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