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DorisPao Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Is it a/the passport application that they require?
Hello,
Is it a passport application that they require?
Is it the passport application that they require?
We are talking about a regular passport application needed by some government office. My teacher says that the definite article (the passport application) is better and sounds more natural. In that case, he says, all passport applications are lumped together into one general concept.
But he says that "a passport application" is correct, too, if I want to say "any passport application".
Do you agree?
Thank you as always.
Doris
Is it a passport application that they require?
Is it the passport application that they require?
We are talking about a regular passport application needed by some government office. My teacher says that the definite article (the passport application) is better and sounds more natural. In that case, he says, all passport applications are lumped together into one general concept.
But he says that "a passport application" is correct, too, if I want to say "any passport application".
Do you agree?
Thank you as always.
Doris
Top answer
Use "the" when you are distinguishing the category of application Is it the passport or the Visa application that they require? Do you agree? Yes.
- Use "the" when you are distinguishing the category of application Is it the passport or the Visa application that they require?
- Do you agree?
- Yes.
- If they come to a window with a sign "Passports," then the following is natural: Clerk: Do you want a new passport application form, or a passport renewal form?
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6 Answers
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Use "the" when you are distinguishing the category of application
Is it the passport or the Visa application that they require?
If they come to a window with a sign "Passports," then the following is natural:
Is it the passport or the Visa application that they require?
DorisPaoBut he says that "a passport application" is correct, too, if I want to say "any passport application".Do you agree?Yes.
If they come to a window with a sign "Passports," then the following is natural:
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DorisPaoDo you agree?Yes, I do, except I don't think that either choice sounds more natural than the other.
In the case of 'a', it's a matter of identifying what sort of thing they require. A passport application? A guide dog for the blind? A rocket that can go into space? A garden gnome?
In the case of 'the', it's a matter of selecting w
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CJ,
Thank you. I should have described the situation. This office requires you to submit a passport application for another application to be processed. My teacher says (echoed by AS above):
1. If it is a category (passport application as a whole, covering ALL passport applications), use the
2. If it is any passport application, use a
In t
Thank you. I should have described the situation. This office requires you to submit a passport application for another application to be processed. My teacher says (echoed by AS above):
1. If it is a category (passport application as a whole, covering ALL passport applications), use the
2. If it is any passport application, use a
In t
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DorisPaoIn the situation described, I suppose I can use either one and no one will think I am an ignoramus?That seems reasonable. Yes.
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