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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Two dollars
I don't want to double-post, but it's been more than 2 hours since my message . . . did it get lost?
Here's the question:
I buy a product for $13, give the sales clerk $20, and say:
"Give me five dollars back and keep the two dollars."
"Give me five dollars back, and you get to keep (the) two dollars."
My teacher wrote it is natural to use the definite article in the first sentence, but either works in the second. I'd like to know why. Thank you!
Here's the question:
I buy a product for $13, give the sales clerk $20, and say:
"Give me five dollars back and keep the two dollars."
"Give me five dollars back, and you get to keep (the) two dollars."
My teacher wrote it is natural to use the definite article in the first sentence, but either works in the second. I'd like to know why. Thank you!
Top answer
' The ' is natural in both, because you are referring to the specific two dollars that remain. For natural English, try to avoid a lot of repetition of words. And politeness is desirable.
- ' The ' is natural in both, because you are referring to the specific two dollars that remain.
- For natural English, try to avoid a lot of repetition of words.
- And politeness is desirable.
- " Your second version with ' you get to keep ' sounds patronizing, as if you are talking to a child.
- Generally speaking, it is uncommon to tip a sales clerk.
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4 Answers
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'The' is natural in both, because you are referring to the specific two dollars that remain.
For natural English, try to avoid a lot of repetition of words. And politeness is desirable.
ie "Give me five dollars, please, and keep the two."
Your second version with 'you get to keep' sounds patronizing, as if you are talking to a child.
Generally speakin
For natural English, try to avoid a lot of repetition of words. And politeness is desirable.
ie "Give me five dollars, please, and keep the two."
Your second version with 'you get to keep' sounds patronizing, as if you are talking to a child.
Generally speakin
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Thank you for all the advice, Clive. Would it be wrong to omit the article in the second sentence?
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I wouldn't say it is wrong to omit it in either sentence, but it is not so natural.
Do you care that the second sentence is patronizing?
Do you care that the second sentence is patronizing?
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Thank you!
Yes, I care. I will keep that in mind. I don't want to be rude to anybody! I won't actually say it like that!! I just wanted to get the articles correct. Thank you!
Yes, I care. I will keep that in mind. I don't want to be rude to anybody! I won't actually say it like that!! I just wanted to get the articles correct. Thank you!
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