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Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
One vs. a
a. He did not like anything in the room except for one painting.
b. He did not like anything in the room except for a painting.
Is there a difference between the meanings of these sentences?
Which one would one use if there was only a single painting in the room (amongst other objects, of course)?
Many thanks.
b. He did not like anything in the room except for a painting.
Is there a difference between the meanings of these sentences?
Which one would one use if there was only a single painting in the room (amongst other objects, of course)?
Many thanks.
Top answer
The first ("one painting") implies that there were other paintings he didn't like. The second ("a painting") implies that there were lots of different things in the room, but he didn't like any of them except for a painting. "
- The first ("one painting") implies that there were other paintings he didn't like.
- The second ("a painting") implies that there were lots of different things in the room, but he didn't like any of them except for a painting.
- "
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1 Answers
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The first ("one painting") implies that there were other paintings he didn't like. The second ("a painting") implies that there were lots of different things in the room, but he didn't like any of them except for a painting. If there was only a single painting in the room, you'd say, "He did not like anything in the room except the painting."
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