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Perfect Stranger Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

Vocab question no. 21 - can a string break?

Hello there,

Every necklace must have a string. Can I say:

A string in my necklace broke

Thanks
  

Top answer

It's possible. The use of the indefinite article suggests that the necklace has several strings, and only one of these broke. If there is just one string then use the definite article.

— GPY

  • It's possible.
  • The use of the indefinite article suggests that the necklace has several strings, and only one of these broke.
  • If there is just one string then use the definite article.
  • However, more often one would simply say "My necklace broke".
  • It would normally be understood that this referred to the string(s).
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3 Answers
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It's possible. The use of the indefinite article suggests that the necklace has several strings, and only one of these broke. If there is just one string then use the definite article. However, more often one would simply say "My necklace broke". It would normally be understood that this referred to the string(s).

You forgot the full stop at the end of the sentence.
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If there was only one string, I would probably say "The string on my necklace broke." (if I wanted to be specific). Either that or "My necklace string broke.".

But I agree with GPY, "My necklace broke." will suffice to convey the idea.
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Thanks guys.

To be perfectly clear it's not a necklace as such... It's just a small bell hanging on a string the length of which can be regulated. I don't know if I can actually say The necklace broke. in such a case.
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