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Gudrun Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Tables

Hi there.

"Rick went to the party, got drunk, and danced on tables".
"Rick went to the party, got drunk, and danced on the tables".

Is either correct? What's the difference? "On tables" is on some tables and "on the tables" is on the tables that were there?
  

Top answer

Gudrun Is either correct? Yes. Gudrun "On tables" is on some tables Yes, but you've already used 'the' with 'party', so it would be any tables that were at the party, by deduction.

— CalifJim

  • Gudrun Is either correct?
  • Yes.
  • Gudrun "On tables" is on some tables Yes, but you've already used 'the' with 'party', so it would be any tables that were at the party, by deduction.
  • Gudrun "on the tables" is on the tables that were there?
  • Yes, that's the only thing it could mean.
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5 Answers
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GudrunIs either correct?
Yes.
Gudrun"On tables" is on some tables
Yes, but you've already used 'the' with 'party', so it would be any tables that were at the party, by deduction.
Gudrun"on the tables" is on the tables that were there?
Yes, that's the only thing it could mean.

CJ
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I thank you, CJ. It is very helpful.

Regards,
Gudrun
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CJ,
One quick follow up. If I said,
"Rick went to a party, got drunk and danced on (the) tables".
Your answer wouldn't change, would it? Either is still correct, yes?
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GudrunEither is still correct, yes?
Yes. The only thing different is that with "a" the speaker doesn't expect the listener to know which party he (the speaker) is referring to.

CJ
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CalifJimYes. The only thing different is that with "a" the speaker doesn't expect the listener to know which party he (the speaker) is referring to.
It is exactly what I thought. Perfect, thank you very much. Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Gudrun
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