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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Should the article be "a" or "the" ?
When you want to say something like 'I can't stop grinning." using the following sentence, should the article be "a" or "the" ?
I can't wipe a[the] smile off my face.
Thank you.
I can't wipe a[the] smile off my face.
Thank you.
Top answer
Dear friend, use the definite article, as this is a set expression, along with wipe the grin off one's face. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
- Dear friend, use the definite article, as this is a set expression, along with wipe the grin off one's face.
- Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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2 Answers
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Dear friend,
use the definite article, as this is a set expression, along with wipe the grin off one's face.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
use the definite article, as this is a set expression, along with wipe the grin off one's face.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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1. to wipe the smile off someone's face
Usually, this idiom implies intense satisfaction in the fact that the smiler had to stop smiling. For instance:
2. I told him he hadn't got the job. That wiped the smile off his face.
Here, you can infer that a) the speaker was pleased that the smiler didn't get the job b) the speaker regards the smile as somehow smug or irritatin
Usually, this idiom implies intense satisfaction in the fact that the smiler had to stop smiling. For instance:
2. I told him he hadn't got the job. That wiped the smile off his face.
Here, you can infer that a) the speaker was pleased that the smiler didn't get the job b) the speaker regards the smile as somehow smug or irritatin
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