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Twistedthistle Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
see a doctor vs see the doctor
Hi everyone, someone asked me the other day what the difference was between saying "I was ill, so I went to see a doctor." and "I was ill, so I went to see the doctor."
My feeling is that "see a doctor" suggests going to see a random doctor who you're not particularly familiar with, while "see the doctor" suggests that the doctor you went to see is one you're in some way familiar with--your regular GP, say. In the same way that saying "I visited a library yesterday" would suggest you went to some random library, while "I visited the library yesterday" suggests you went to a library that you either visit often or are at least familiar with (for example it would be the library in your neighbourhood).
I was wondering if you guys agree with my explanation/feeling? Or does anyone have any other/contrasting ideas on this subject?
Thanks for you help
TT
My feeling is that "see a doctor" suggests going to see a random doctor who you're not particularly familiar with, while "see the doctor" suggests that the doctor you went to see is one you're in some way familiar with--your regular GP, say. In the same way that saying "I visited a library yesterday" would suggest you went to some random library, while "I visited the library yesterday" suggests you went to a library that you either visit often or are at least familiar with (for example it would be the library in your neighbourhood).
I was wondering if you guys agree with my explanation/feeling? Or does anyone have any other/contrasting ideas on this subject?
Thanks for you help
TT
Top answer
I agree.
- I agree.
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5 Answers
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Normally, 'the' is used when both the speaker and the listener are familiar with the thing/person being talked about.
'familiar', as used above, means that the listener doesn't necessarily have to identify (by name ) the thing/person mentioned but can still infer which library (e.g. the town's library) or which doctor (the speaker's personal doctor) is meant from the contex
'familiar', as used above, means that the listener doesn't necessarily have to identify (by name ) the thing/person mentioned but can still infer which library (e.g. the town's library) or which doctor (the speaker's personal doctor) is meant from the contex
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Thanks Ivanhr anf fivejedjon for your replies. You've been very helpful. 
TT
TT00
fivejedjonI agree.Do you think they are correct?
-I went to see a doctor.
-I went to a doctor.
-I saw a doctor.
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