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Spacewater Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
I have a trouble telling when to use "the" or "a" in front of noun
The problem I just came accross? or A problem I just came accross?
The problem I just came accross is...? A problem I just came accross is...?
The World War or World War? The Korean War or Korean War?
I understand that you use "a" when you are dealing with a singular subject but it is hard to tell when to use "the". Some of the singualr subjects have "the" in front of it. Sometimes I get confused with when NOT to use "the".
For example, The doorsill on a doorway. Why can't it be A doorsill on a doorway? or A doorsill on the doorway?
I can't even tell the difference when I am reading the book, but everytime I try to write I go run into a "a" or"the" confusion.
The problem I just came accross is...? A problem I just came accross is...?
The World War or World War? The Korean War or Korean War?
I understand that you use "a" when you are dealing with a singular subject but it is hard to tell when to use "the". Some of the singualr subjects have "the" in front of it. Sometimes I get confused with when NOT to use "the".
For example, The doorsill on a doorway. Why can't it be A doorsill on a doorway? or A doorsill on the doorway?
I can't even tell the difference when I am reading the book, but everytime I try to write I go run into a "a" or"the" confusion.
Top answer
I assume you have learned the standard rules as found on just about every grammar site on the Internet. Beyond that I'm not sure there's much help anyone can give (except to advise you in specific cases, of course). The unfortunate truth is that much of article use in English is idiomatic and must be learned by memorization and exposure to the language.
- I assume you have learned the standard rules as found on just about every grammar site on the Internet.
- Beyond that I'm not sure there's much help anyone can give (except to advise you in specific cases, of course).
- The unfortunate truth is that much of article use in English is idiomatic and must be learned by memorization and exposure to the language.
- The examples you offer are cases in point.
- As stand alone sentences they can take either article.
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2 Answers
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I assume you have learned the standard rules as found on just about every grammar site on the Internet. Beyond that I'm not sure there's much help anyone can give (except to advise you in specific cases, of course). The unfortunate truth is that much of article use in English is idiomatic and must be learned by memorization and exposure to the language.
The examples you offer are cases i
The examples you offer are cases i
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SpacewaterFor example, The doorsill on a doorway. Why can't it be A doorsill on a doorway? or A doorsill on the doorway?Use "the" when you mean "one".
A doorway has only one doorsill, so we say "The doorsill on a doorway" (when we mean ANY doorway) and "The doorsill on the doorway" (When we mean one particular doorway and its doorsill. )
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