0
Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Explanation will be appreciated
I was looking at a reference book and I think it laid out this general explanation in reference to the use of the in the dialogue below:
A speaker uses the when both people have the same thing or person in mind. The indicates that a noun is specific.
Dialogue:
A: Where is Jim?
B: He is in the livingroom.
My question is "In the dialogue, do both people have the same thing or person in mind, which one?"
Sorry, if my question is not clear
A speaker uses the when both people have the same thing or person in mind. The indicates that a noun is specific.
Dialogue:
A: Where is Jim?
B: He is in the livingroom.
My question is "In the dialogue, do both people have the same thing or person in mind, which one?"
Sorry, if my question is not clear
Top answer
They both have the same living room in mind.
- They both have the same living room in mind.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
0
This is also called "common focus".
Both people have the same living room in mind, yes.
When B says "in the living room", he knows there is only one living room in the neighborhood of A. That would have to be the living room being referred to.
Using the same reasoning, we say things like in the kitchen, in the refrigerator, on the porch,
Both people have the same living room in mind, yes.
When B says "in the living room", he knows there is only one living room in the neighborhood of A. That would have to be the living room being referred to.
Using the same reasoning, we say things like in the kitchen, in the refrigerator, on the porch,
00
Thank you.
Can you give/show me a situation where the use of the is necessary due to the fact (because of the fact) both people have the same person in mind?
Also, this just came up, for the underlined part, which one would you use?
Can you give/show me a situation where the use of the is necessary due to the fact (because of the fact) both people have the same person in mind?
Also, this just came up, for the underlined part, which one would you use?
00
Give your ticket to the usher. (That would be the usher who is standing in front of us, with his hand out, waiting for the ticket.)
Comared to:
A: Honey, where's your ticket?
B: I don't know - I gave it to one of the ushers.
OR
The boss wants to see you. (We have the same boss so you know who I mean.)
compared to:
I enjoy working for a boss who
Comared to:
A: Honey, where's your ticket?
B: I don't know - I gave it to one of the ushers.
OR
The boss wants to see you. (We have the same boss so you know who I mean.)
compared to:
I enjoy working for a boss who
0
Related Questions