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Yellowstarstruck Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

"The"

Hi! What is the difference in meaning? Thanks, Fulvio

Scene 1 A: Hi! Can I take your order? B: I'll have spaghetti and icecream.

Scene 2 A: Hi! Can I take your order? B: I'll have the spaghetti and icecream.
  

Top answer

"the spaghetti and icecream" has a nuance that "spaghetti and icecream" is one dish on the menu, which would be weird. I suppose it could be a set combination of main course and dessert. "spaghetti and icecream" sounds more of an ad hoc combination, rather than a set or predefined item, but still seems slightly odd to me.

— GPY

  • "the spaghetti and icecream" has a nuance that "spaghetti and icecream" is one dish on the menu, which would be weird.
  • I suppose it could be a set combination of main course and dessert.
  • "spaghetti and icecream" sounds more of an ad hoc combination, rather than a set or predefined item, but still seems slightly odd to me.
  • Assuming you aren't really going to eat them together, I would say something like "I'll have (the) spaghetti and then icecream for dessert", or "icecream to follow", or whatever.
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2 Answers
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"the spaghetti and icecream" has a nuance that "spaghetti and icecream" is one dish on the menu, which would be weird. I suppose it could be a set combination of main course and dessert.

"spaghetti and icecream" sounds more of an ad hoc combination, rather than a set or predefined item, but still seems slightly odd to me. Assuming you aren't really going to eat them together, I would say
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yellowstarstruckdifference in meaning?
The setting is clearly a restaurant, so there is no difference. "the" establishes a common understanding that the spaghetti and ice-cream are those items as listed on the menu, but that is also established by the setting even if "the" is omitted.

CJ

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