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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Put the definite articles?
Hi. Please help.
1. Should we use the definite or indefinite article here? Please note that the response in this made-up dialogue was written to ask a grammar question. I think it might not be the question that should be asked in a certain situation.
A: Who are you?
B: I am the (a?) daughter of an immigrant.
2. As an assignment instruction, do you think we should be the definite article in the place noted?
Please fill in the blanks with (the?) appropriate prepositions.
1. Should we use the definite or indefinite article here? Please note that the response in this made-up dialogue was written to ask a grammar question. I think it might not be the question that should be asked in a certain situation.
A: Who are you?
B: I am the (a?) daughter of an immigrant.
2. As an assignment instruction, do you think we should be the definite article in the place noted?
Please fill in the blanks with (the?) appropriate prepositions.
Top answer
In your first example, "the" sounds better. However, you couldn't really say "a" was wrong; it just doesn't sound as fluid. The your second example, putting "the" in, or not, tends to mean something slightly different.
- In your first example, "the" sounds better.
- However, you couldn't really say "a" was wrong; it just doesn't sound as fluid.
- The your second example, putting "the" in, or not, tends to mean something slightly different.
- You would include "the" if you were giving a list of prepositions that the student had to choose from.
- You would leave "the" out if the student had a free choice.
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5 Answers
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In your first example, "the" sounds better. However, you couldn't really say "a" was wrong; it just doesn't sound as fluid.
The your second example, putting "the" in, or not, tends to mean something slightly different. You would include "the" if you were giving a list of prepositions that the student had to choose from. You would leave "the" out if the student had a free choice.
The your second example, putting "the" in, or not, tends to mean something slightly different. You would include "the" if you were giving a list of prepositions that the student had to choose from. You would leave "the" out if the student had a free choice.
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Thank you. Could you see a difference between the two example sentences?
1. I am the daughter of an immigrant.
2. This is the picture of our old hut.
Both as a (possible) response to "Who are you?" and "What is this?" respectively, I think you said the number 1 sentence is fine (and I think you also the indefinite article "a" is also good). (the previous co
1. I am the daughter of an immigrant.
2. This is the picture of our old hut.
Both as a (possible) response to "Who are you?" and "What is this?" respectively, I think you said the number 1 sentence is fine (and I think you also the indefinite article "a" is also good). (the previous co
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Yes, that's right. Using "the" in your second example implies that the person being shown the picture has already been made aware of its existence. So the person showing the picture might have said, at some previous time, something like: "I'll show you a picture of our old hut when we get indoors."
Using the indefinite article in (2) would be if the person showing the picture had just pul
Using the indefinite article in (2) would be if the person showing the picture had just pul
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Hi. Thank you, again. Could you tell me how there can be a difference in interpretation (as I see it) between the two?
I am the daughter of an immigrant. -- I think this is OK as she introduces herself for the first time to a person she has not met before.
This is the picture of our old hut. -- Based on what you said (and Clive's response/comment), I think the sente
I am the daughter of an immigrant. -- I think this is OK as she introduces herself for the first time to a person she has not met before.
This is the picture of our old hut. -- Based on what you said (and Clive's response/comment), I think the sente
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Hi,
First of all, the natural thing to say if you just wanted to give a little information about yourelf would be
eg My father was an immigrant.
However, assuming you say the following sentences, here are a few comments.
First of all, the natural thing to say if you just wanted to give a little information about yourelf would be
eg My father was an immigrant.
However, assuming you say the following sentences, here are a few comments.
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