0
Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

The river or a river?

Hi. Please help. Would it be correct to use the definite article before a noun like "river" when what you are trying to say is what I would say metaphorical in nature? Thank you for your help in advance.

eg,
The river (or should it be "A river"?) does not flow upward.
  

Top answer

The/A river does not flow upward. This has no element of metaphor as it stands, and there is no way of judging which article is appropriate without a fuller context. Generally, rivers do not flow upstream.

  • The/A river does not flow upward.
  • This has no element of metaphor as it stands, and there is no way of judging which article is appropriate without a fuller context.
  • Generally, rivers do not flow upstream.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
The/A river does not flow upward.

This has no element of metaphor as it stands, and there is no way of judging which article is appropriate without a fuller context. Generally, rivers do not flow upstream.

Related Questions