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MustAsk Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

The/a fifth time

Hi

This time it's going to be [a/the] fifth time I [will have said / will say] to stop playing loud music.

I'm not sure which of the alternatives to pick here.

I appreciate your help!
  

Top answer

This is the fifth time I've asked/told you to stop playing loud music.

— Fivejedjon

  • This is the fifth time I've asked/told you to stop playing loud music.
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5 Answers
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This is the fifth time I've asked/told you to stop playing loud music.
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If you think there's going to be a sixth time, a seventh time etc, then I don't see anything wrong with using an a there.
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Thank you! What is the difference between:

This will be the fifth time...
This will be a fifth time...?
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MustAskThis will be a fifth time...?
I can't think of a natural context for that.
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MustAskThis will be the fifth time...
The indefinite article implies that there are more "times." It is uncommon, but here is an example:

After he played the fourth encore, the audience applauded so loud and long that he sat down for a fifth (yet another) time.
After he played the fourth encore, the audience applauded so loud and long that
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