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DorisPao Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
The new building was named after a/the tycoon...
Hi everyone,
"The new building was named after a tycoon who had sponsored its construction."
"The new building was named after the tycoon who had sponsored its construction."
If the financier is mentioned for the first time, which article is more correct? My English teacher says that both are correct, and it is a matter of style. The use of the "a" introduces the tycoon and is weaker; the second one ("the) is more specific. Is he correct?
Could you please confirm that? I.e. not what you prefer, but whether both are correct.
Thanks!
Doris
"The new building was named after a tycoon who had sponsored its construction."
"The new building was named after the tycoon who had sponsored its construction."
If the financier is mentioned for the first time, which article is more correct? My English teacher says that both are correct, and it is a matter of style. The use of the "a" introduces the tycoon and is weaker; the second one ("the) is more specific. Is he correct?
Could you please confirm that? I.e. not what you prefer, but whether both are correct.
Thanks!
Doris
Top answer
DorisPao My English teacher says that both are correct, and it is a matter of style I agree with your teacher.
- DorisPao My English teacher says that both are correct, and it is a matter of style I agree with your teacher.
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3 Answers
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DorisPaoMy English teacher says that both are correct, and it is a matter of styleI agree with your teacher.
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I am with Mister Micawber - your teacher is right. The indefinite article "a" puts less emphasis on "tycoon", while the definite article shifts more emphasis on that noun. In your example, you are free to use either one.
Additionally, you should use the indefinite article ("a" tycoon) in the (perhaps not very likely) event that there is more than one tycoon to have financed the building,
Additionally, you should use the indefinite article ("a" tycoon) in the (perhaps not very likely) event that there is more than one tycoon to have financed the building,
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Oops…the last bit of my sentence was incomplete. It should read:
Xerxesit is impossible to say which one of them you have in mind.Mea culpa.
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