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Vgv8 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

(in)definite article usage:"I missed THE bus" but "had to take A taxi"

"The articles quizz" have correct answers:
  • 58. I was really angry because I missed ___THE__ bus

  • 60. There were no buses so I had to take __A__ taxi
i.e. indefinite "a" and definite "the" for quite similar situations - some unspecified bus or taxi.


Could you explain me why is such difference in the usage of articles?
  

Top answer

e. indefinite "a" and definite "the" for quite similar situations - some unspecified bus or taxi. Could you explain me why is such difference in the usage of articles?

— Clive

  • e.
  • indefinite "a" and definite "the" for quite similar situations - some unspecified bus or taxi.
  • Could you explain me why is such difference in the usage of articles?
  • If you want to refer to an actual bus, eg where you see one leaving the bus-stop just as you arrive, you can say 'I just missed a bus'.
  • However, we idiomatically speak of 'the bus' when we want to refer to all buses, ie bus transportation in general.
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1 Answers
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Hi,
  • I was really angry because I missed _THE__ bus

  • There were no buses so I had to take __A__ taxi
i.e. indefinite "a" and definite
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