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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Monkey

Hi, one more question please (I am having a problem registering - how to troubleshoot?);

I was at the market in my town and I saw a monkey there. If I come home and ask my family:
'Did you guys see the monkey at the market?"
I don't know if they have seen that monkey at the market (I am using this noun for the first time). Why is "the" natural here? Because the monkey is so definite to me that I assume it must be definite for them?

'Did you guys see a monkey at the market?'
That's fine too, but here I am definitely not sure if they have seen the monkey.
It might also express disbelief - 'did you see a monkey at the market as well or was it just me?'

So I can stick to either one, subtly changing the meaning?
  

Top answer

Anonymous (I am using this noun for the first time). Why is "the" natural here? It's as if you are telling them that there is a monkey at the market at the same time as you are referring to it.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous (I am using this noun for the first time).
  • Why is "the" natural here?
  • It's as if you are telling them that there is a monkey at the market at the same time as you are referring to it.
  • Did you guys see the monkey at the market?
  • ~ There is a monkey at the market.
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5 Answers
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Anonymous (I am using this noun for the first time). Why is "the" natural here?
It's as if you are telling them that there is a monkey at the market at the same time as you are referring to it.

Did you guys see the monkey at the market? ~ There is a monkey at the market. Did you see [the monkey / it]?

In a
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AnonymousDid you guys see the monkey at the market?
The clue is in the highlighted part; that makes it a specific monkey.
[ Did you see the monkey that was at the market? ]
Anonymous'Did you guys see a monkey at the market?'
That just means:
When you went to th
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Anonymous(I am having a problem registering - how to troubleshoot?)
What kind of problem are you having?
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CalifJim, Teechr: thank you for your answers. I think I've got the gist of it.
Blue JayWhat kind of problem are you having?
Blue Jay: I was getting an error message. But I am getting the same message on a few other sites now, so there's something wrong with my browser. It's very weird. But I don't think it has anything to do with you.
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Well, you could try another browser, or try clearing the cookies in the one you are using, or reboot your computer.
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