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Carlos Sunny Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
English help please
Hi Dear Teachers and Friends,
Hello to everybody
I need to understand articles a bit better. I am discovering that some rules I learned don't apply to all situations.
My situations
1. My friend Juan shows me his new Porsche. I ask him
"Juan, why did you buy a/the Porsche?"
Which is right? I read some older messages here. My answer is that the indefinite article means "why did you buy that kind of car" and the definite article means "that particular Porsche". So, moving the emphasis?
2. My friend Juanita and I know are talking about Juan, who bought a Porsche recently. We both know that he bought it.
"Juan has a midlife crisis."
"Yes, that's why he bought a/the Porsche."
Again, I think it's the same situation. How do you want to emphasize the Porsche?
3. Juanita and me see a sword in Juan's living room. I says to Juanita,
"Juan likes collecting weapons. That's why he has a/the sword in the living room."
My conclusion: even although we know about the nouns in these conversations (Porsche, sword) and the rule says "use definite article", I can choose which article to use in these examples because of emphasis and how we want to emphasize these nouns.
My conclusion, is correct?
Hello to everybody
I need to understand articles a bit better. I am discovering that some rules I learned don't apply to all situations.
My situations
1. My friend Juan shows me his new Porsche. I ask him
"Juan, why did you buy a/the Porsche?"
Which is right? I read some older messages here. My answer is that the indefinite article means "why did you buy that kind of car" and the definite article means "that particular Porsche". So, moving the emphasis?
2. My friend Juanita and I know are talking about Juan, who bought a Porsche recently. We both know that he bought it.
"Juan has a midlife crisis."
"Yes, that's why he bought a/the Porsche."
Again, I think it's the same situation. How do you want to emphasize the Porsche?
3. Juanita and me see a sword in Juan's living room. I says to Juanita,
"Juan likes collecting weapons. That's why he has a/the sword in the living room."
My conclusion: even although we know about the nouns in these conversations (Porsche, sword) and the rule says "use definite article", I can choose which article to use in these examples because of emphasis and how we want to emphasize these nouns.
My conclusion, is correct?
Top answer
Hello, Carlos Sunny —and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member. Carlos Sunny 1.
- Hello, Carlos Sunny —and welcome to English Forums.
- Thank you for registering as a member.
- Carlos Sunny 1.
- My friend Juan shows me his new Porsche.
- "Which is right?
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4 Answers
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Hello, Carlos Sunny —and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member.
Carlos Sunny1. My friend Juan shows me his new Porsche. I ask him"Juan, why did you buy a/the Porsche?"Which is right?Both are fine.
Carlos Sunny My answer is that the indefinite article means "why did you buy that kind of car" and the definite ar
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Greetings, Mister Micawber! I probably mis-understood this emphasis thing. You say that "both are fine" for the first one. I understand that both are fine for the other three situations (but for a different reason than I thought), yes?
Can I bother you with one additional question?
When I ask Juan,
"Why did you buy a Porsche?"
He says to me
"Well, so, the reason I bou
Can I bother you with one additional question?
When I ask Juan,
"Why did you buy a Porsche?"
He says to me
"Well, so, the reason I bou
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Carlos SunnyWhen I ask Juan,"Why did you buy a Porsche?"He says to me"Well, so, the reason I bought a/the Porsche..."Yes, he could say either one.
Carlos SunnyIs it still the same mental viewpoint?Yes.
Carlos SunnySorry about so many questions.That's what we're here for.
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