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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Using "a" before a noun
Please look at this sentence
They will buy a car.
Why isn't it ...."They will buy car"
Why do I have to put an "a" before car?
Thank you.
They will buy a car.
Why isn't it ...."They will buy car"
Why do I have to put an "a" before car?
Thank you.
Top answer
Because the English language uses number, which requires a determiner before a singular countable common noun-- either an article, a demonstrative adjective, or a possessive adjective. You don't have to use 'a car' if you choose instead to use 'the car', 'this/that car', or 'my/his/their/Jesus' car'. Additional adjectives are optional: 'an old car', 'James's stolen car', 'this decrepit car'.
- Because the English language uses number, which requires a determiner before a singular countable common noun-- either an article, a demonstrative adjective, or a possessive adjective.
- You don't have to use 'a car' if you choose instead to use 'the car', 'this/that car', or 'my/his/their/Jesus' car'.
- Additional adjectives are optional: 'an old car', 'James's stolen car', 'this decrepit car'.
- Sorry, guest, it's just part of the language.
- How about your language-- any unusual features?
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3 Answers
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Because the English language uses number, which requires a determiner before a singular countable common noun-- either an article, a demonstrative adjective, or a possessive adjective.
You don't have to use 'a car' if you choose instead to use 'the car', 'this/that car', or 'my/his/their/Jesus' car'. Additional adjectives are optional: 'an old car', 'James's stolen car', 'this decrepit
You don't have to use 'a car' if you choose instead to use 'the car', 'this/that car', or 'my/his/their/Jesus' car'. Additional adjectives are optional: 'an old car', 'James's stolen car', 'this decrepit
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I'm an American who is currently in a foreign country teaching English. Like many ESL teachers, I don't have a solid grip on the many facets of English grammar. I'm simply trying to improve my teaching abilities and, in turn, produce brighter students. Your answer will help about 300 students...so thank you.
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Oops! Hi. You did a good job of impersonating an inquisitive ESL student. Languages (not just English), like the cultures they are an expression of, often offer no rationale for how they operate-- they just 'are'; so the mere history of the language is a valid explanation if there's nothing in your grammar book that helps explain a point logically. I can't count the number of times I've told
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