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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Gifts with article
Hi,
Can someone please push me in the right direction?
I am discussing arrangements for a birthday or a wedding. I say:
"The guests are coming after six. In the hall we'll have a bag for gifts".
"The guests are coming after six. In the hall we'll have a bag for the gifts".
Can I use either one? Zero article seems normal to me. The gifts are not specific yet. I don't know what they will be or whether every guest will bring one.
On the other hand every birthday/wedding usually involves gifts automatically, so this could be seen as "the gifts that I am expecting."
Did I explain my question well? I am not sure.
Can someone please push me in the right direction?
I am discussing arrangements for a birthday or a wedding. I say:
"The guests are coming after six. In the hall we'll have a bag for gifts".
"The guests are coming after six. In the hall we'll have a bag for the gifts".
Can I use either one? Zero article seems normal to me. The gifts are not specific yet. I don't know what they will be or whether every guest will bring one.
On the other hand every birthday/wedding usually involves gifts automatically, so this could be seen as "the gifts that I am expecting."
Did I explain my question well? I am not sure.
Top answer
Anonymous Can I use either one? Yes, you can. You're right that "for gifts" is normal.
- Anonymous Can I use either one?
- Yes, you can.
- You're right that "for gifts" is normal.
- "for the gifts" is a bit more presumptuous; it presumes that certainly there will be gifts.
- CJ
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2 Answers
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AnonymousCan I use either one?Yes, you can. You're right that "for gifts" is normal. "for the gifts" is a bit more presumptuous; it presumes that certainly there will be gifts.
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CalifJimYes, you can. You're right that "for gifts" is normal. "for the gifts" is a bit more presumptuous; it presumes that certainly there will be gifts. CJThank you! I am presumptuous when it comes to gifts.
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