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Wonder123 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

the or a

In the following sentences do I need to use "the" or "a"

He did not went to the institute today because the institute is closed for the (or a ) day

Today our store will be closed for a (or the ) day

Thanks
  

Top answer

He did not go to the institute today, because the institute is closed for the day. Today, our store will be closed for the day. Using 'the' day implies you are speaking of the current day, or the day brought up in the earlier conversation.

— Francis Ferry

  • He did not go to the institute today, because the institute is closed for the day.
  • Today, our store will be closed for the day.
  • Using 'the' day implies you are speaking of the current day, or the day brought up in the earlier conversation.
  • Compare: The facility is closed for a day each week.
  • This week, it is closed on Thursday.
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5 Answers
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He did not go to the institute today, because the institute is closed for the day.

Today, our store will be closed for the day.

Using 'the' day implies you are speaking of the current day, or the day brought up in the earlier conversation. Compare:

The facility is closed for a day each week. This week, it is closed on Thursday.
vs
It is Thursday. If I remember c
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Ok thanks, so when we talk about the current day we need to use "the" and in other conversations we need to use "a", right?
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Yes, that is correct. For example, a recent headline read:

Watertown locked down for a day

Authorities searched for bombing suspect house by house, door by door, until suspect’s capture

This was written about the Watertown arrest, and spoke about the event in the past.

Another headline reads:

Meridian High School closed for the day because of power outage
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Now I can understand the differences between for the day and for a day, thanks a lot for your guidance
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Wonder123He did not went go to the institute today because the institute is closed for the (or a ) day
Today our store will be closed for a (or the ) day
Hello.
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