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Tenacious Learner Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
'the sandwich is' or 'a sandwich is'
Hi teachers,
In this sentence, 'Mary is eating a sandwich', if I ask what is affected by the action, the answer should be:
a) the sandwich is.
b) a sandwich is.
My attempt, it should be, 'the sandwich', just because it is a definitive 'sandwich', the one she is eating.
Is my assumption correct?
Thanks in advance.
In this sentence, 'Mary is eating a sandwich', if I ask what is affected by the action, the answer should be:
a) the sandwich is.
b) a sandwich is.
My attempt, it should be, 'the sandwich', just because it is a definitive 'sandwich', the one she is eating.
Is my assumption correct?
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
In my opinion, you're correct. She is only eating one particular sandwich, and it's identified in your first sentence. The definite article is correct.
- In my opinion, you're correct.
- She is only eating one particular sandwich, and it's identified in your first sentence.
- The definite article is correct.
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10 Answers
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In my opinion, you're correct.
She is only eating one particular sandwich, and it's identified in your first sentence.
The definite article is correct.
She is only eating one particular sandwich, and it's identified in your first sentence.
The definite article is correct.
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Hello, TL. 
I believe both are correct. Although a particular one, I'd still think of, and refer to, it as simply a
I believe both are correct. Although a particular one, I'd still think of, and refer to, it as simply a
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Let's say that your final product will have two sentences:
(1) Mary is eating a sandwich.
(2) The sandwich is affected by the action.
In #1, we choose the indefinite article. We're not talking about any special sandwich.
In #2, we choose the definite article. Why?
Because the sandwich has been previously identified in
(1) Mary is eating a sandwich.
(2) The sandwich is affected by the action.
In #1, we choose the indefinite article. We're not talking about any special sandwich.
In #2, we choose the definite article. Why?
Because the sandwich has been previously identified in
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Hello.
AvangiTo say that the sandwich which is affected by the action is the same one Mary is eating is simply a better, more complete answer.But the asker is, supposedly, unaware of that.. .
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If you opt for "a" , then the intended meaning is that it's "a sandwich" that is affected by Mary's action, and not, say, "a ball". It's really a matter of perspective, I think.
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Hello Avangi and Ivanhr,
Thanks for your reply.
It is a grammar exercise for beginners.
The blue part is what the students have to answer.
If I put it between quotation marks, wouldn't it make it clearer that I've borrowed from the original.
Sentence, 'Mary is eating a sandwich'.
a) Who is performing/producing the action? Mary is.
Co
Thanks for your reply.
It is a grammar exercise for beginners.
The blue part is what the students have to answer.
If I put it between quotation marks, wouldn't it make it clearer that I've borrowed from the original.
Sentence, 'Mary is eating a sandwich'.
a) Who is performing/producing the action? Mary is.
Co
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We all agree that neither option is incorrect.
But why did the "teacher" construct this question?
Obviously, to have the student choose between the definite and the indefinite article.
In the interest of getting good marks on tests, it seemed prudent to steer the student toward the "most correct" answer.
If the question were:
Mary is eating a sandwich.
But why did the "teacher" construct this question?
Obviously, to have the student choose between the definite and the indefinite article.
In the interest of getting good marks on tests, it seemed prudent to steer the student toward the "most correct" answer.
If the question were:
Mary is eating a sandwich.
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Avangithen I'd be inclined to direct the student toward a sandwich.Hi Avangi,
Point taken!
TL
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