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Snappy Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
In the/a ... state
How should I choose "the" or "a" when I use the expression "in the/a state of"?
Can I say either "Keep these parts in a dired state" or "Keep these parts in the dried state"?
Similarly, can I say either "The patient is in a vegetable state" or "The patient is in the vegetable state"?
Can I say either "Keep these parts in a dired state" or "Keep these parts in the dried state"?
Similarly, can I say either "The patient is in a vegetable state" or "The patient is in the vegetable state"?
Top answer
a However, you often don't need the expression in a state of because there are better ways of expressing the thought. Don't use in a state of if there's another standard way of saying it. Keep these parts dry.
- a However, you often don't need the expression in a state of because there are better ways of expressing the thought.
- Don't use in a state of if there's another standard way of saying it.
- Keep these parts dry.
- In the case of the patient, you don't have quite the right word: The patient is in a vegetative state.
- CJ
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2 Answers
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a
However, you often don't need the expression in a state of because there are better ways of expressing the thought. Don't use in a state of if there's another standard way of saying it.
Keep these parts dry.
In the case of the patient, you don't have quite the right word:
The patient is in a vegetative state.
CJ
However, you often don't need the expression in a state of because there are better ways of expressing the thought. Don't use in a state of if there's another standard way of saying it.
Keep these parts dry.
In the case of the patient, you don't have quite the right word:
The patient is in a vegetative state.
CJ
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CalifJima However, you often don't need the expression in a state of because there are better ways of expressing the thought. Don't use in a state of if there's another standard way of saying it. Keep these parts dry. In the case of the patient, you don't have quite the right word: The patient is in a vegetative state. CJThank you. I understood.
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