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Morr Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
'The change' / 'change'
Hello…
A conversation in a store:
Sales clerk: That will be $8.50.
Customer: Here is $10. Don't forget to give me back the change.
Is it okay to say "the change"? With the definite article? "A change" sounds wrong and just 'change' (no article) doesn't sound right either, because it's the change [that the sales clerk owes the customer]. Correct?
A conversation in a store:
Sales clerk: That will be $8.50.
Customer: Here is $10. Don't forget to give me back the change.
Is it okay to say "the change"? With the definite article? "A change" sounds wrong and just 'change' (no article) doesn't sound right either, because it's the change [that the sales clerk owes the customer]. Correct?
Top answer
"the change" and "change" both make sense, but the former is more natural to me in this situation. This meaning of "change" is uncountable, so "a change" is never right. "some change" is also possible.
- "the change" and "change" both make sense, but the former is more natural to me in this situation.
- This meaning of "change" is uncountable, so "a change" is never right.
- "some change" is also possible.
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5 Answers
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"the change" and "change" both make sense, but the former is more natural to me in this situation. This meaning of "change" is uncountable, so "a change" is never right. "some change" is also possible.
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Sales clerk: That will be $8.50.
Customer: Here is $10. Don't forget to give me back the change.
This sounds like you think the clerk is incompetent. It's almost an insult.
Where I live, the dialogue is usually like this.
Sales clerk: $8.50, please
Customer: Here is $10. Don't forget to give me back the change.
This sounds like you think the clerk is incompetent. It's almost an insult.
Where I live, the dialogue is usually like this.
Sales clerk: $8.50, please
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CliveThis sounds like you are think the clerk is incompetent.Yeah, you do have a point ...
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Thanks for your replies.
Yes, your point is well taken. I'd never actually say this to a clerk - I was more interested in whether "the change" was correct. Thank you for confirming this for me.
Yes, your point is well taken. I'd never actually say this to a clerk - I was more interested in whether "the change" was correct. Thank you for confirming this for me.
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CliveCustomer: gives money, Clerk gives change.Clive, but I can say 'Clerk gives THE change', right?
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