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Mitsuo23 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
the piano vs a piano vs pianos
Hi,
The sentences below is my understanding of difference between “the piano,” “a piano” and the “pianos” in this particular context. Would you correct me if I am wrong.
- He wanted his children to learn the piano.
The most general one. What the speaker refers to by “the piano” is one particular type of instruments.
- He wanted his children to learn a piano.
You probably don’t say this, but I believe this is, at least, grammatically correct. And you don’t say this, it is because “a piano” in this context sounds more like he refers to an actual piano, rather than the general category.
- He wanted his children to learn pianos.
Still, grammatically correct, but sounds so strange, since it kind of implies playing some pianos at the same time.
I would appreciate any inputs that I am missing here.
Thank you,
The sentences below is my understanding of difference between “the piano,” “a piano” and the “pianos” in this particular context. Would you correct me if I am wrong.
- He wanted his children to learn the piano.
The most general one. What the speaker refers to by “the piano” is one particular type of instruments.
- He wanted his children to learn a piano.
You probably don’t say this, but I believe this is, at least, grammatically correct. And you don’t say this, it is because “a piano” in this context sounds more like he refers to an actual piano, rather than the general category.
- He wanted his children to learn pianos.
Still, grammatically correct, but sounds so strange, since it kind of implies playing some pianos at the same time.
I would appreciate any inputs that I am missing here.
Thank you,
Top answer
In the case of playing musical instruments, there is a specific idiom that is used: to play the [name of instrument]. When you "learn the [instrument]", you are really learning to play the [instrument]. Idioms don't usually make any logical sense, so it's possible that the usual rules for articles like 'a' and 'the' don't even apply in a very logical way in these examples.
- In the case of playing musical instruments, there is a specific idiom that is used: to play the [name of instrument].
- When you "learn the [instrument]", you are really learning to play the [instrument].
- Idioms don't usually make any logical sense, so it's possible that the usual rules for articles like 'a' and 'the' don't even apply in a very logical way in these examples.
- You are correct that all three versions are grammatically correct, but there are thousands of sentences that are grammatically correct that nobody ever says because they are not idiomatic.
- CJ
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4 Answers
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In the case of playing musical instruments, there is a specific idiom that is used: to play the [name of instrument]. When you "learn the [instrument]", you are really learning to play the [instrument].
Idioms don't usually make any logical sense, so it's possible that the usual rules for articles like 'a' and 'the' don't even apply in a very logical way in these examples.
Idioms don't usually make any logical sense, so it's possible that the usual rules for articles like 'a' and 'the' don't even apply in a very logical way in these examples.
00
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I see your point. the expression of "the + instrument” is idiomatic, but if I am making sense, I would like to know how the sentence two and the the sentence three might sound like to the natives, because I need to explain how they sound like, to my co-workers if they make such a mistake, in this particular context.
M
Yes, I see your point. the expression of "the + instrument” is idiomatic, but if I am making sense, I would like to know how the sentence two and the the sentence three might sound like to the natives, because I need to explain how they sound like, to my co-workers if they make such a mistake, in this particular context.
M
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mitsuwao23I need to explainI've already given you the explanation. They sound unidiomatic.howwhat they sound like,
'learn a piano' would just leave listeners mystified. They might ask if it means to learn something about the insides of a piano — the parts and how the parts work. Or they might ask if
00
Oh, you have no idea how I was on the edge of my seat while reading your reply. I know I was kinda overthinking here, but one can't be too careful when he is going to have to explain something to someone else, isn't it?
Anyway, thank you for you tip and the correction. I sometimes do that mistake.
M
Anyway, thank you for you tip and the correction. I sometimes do that mistake.
M
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