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Mitsuo23 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

What kind of "a" is this?

Hi all,

I've got a question about the strange usage of articles while visiting on the website of NPR.

I'll quote it:
I don't think there'd be "a" Tina Fey now if I hadn't tried to look good in the beginning.

I assume that Tina Fey is a comedienne from the U.S., and it's her name, so what is this "a" doing here?

Thanks,
M
  

Top answer

I don't think there'd be "a" Tina Fey now if I hadn't tried to look good in the beginning. It simply refers to the entity. " In this case, the entity is the whole Tina Fey "package" - the fame, charisma, wealth, art, whatever.

— Avangi

  • I don't think there'd be "a" Tina Fey now if I hadn't tried to look good in the beginning.
  • It simply refers to the entity.
  • " In this case, the entity is the whole Tina Fey "package" - the fame, charisma, wealth, art, whatever.
  • There's another (different) meaning we hear sometimes: "Jack Kennedy was a frend of mine.
  • ") In order for them to win now, they'd need a Joe Dimaggio, or a Ted Williams.
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8 Answers
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I don't think there'd be "a" Tina Fey now if I hadn't tried to look good in the beginning.

It simply refers to the entity.

If you saved Jack's life, you could say,
"I don't think there'd be a Jack now if I hadn't arrived in the nick of time."

In this case, the entity is the whole Tina Fey "package" - the f
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Hi,

Thank you for replying. The concept "package" is a very clear and helpful one. Also thanks for your useful tips.
M

P.S. In answer to your question, "is that she speaking?" the sentence is also not familiar one for me, but I supposed it's like "is that her who is speaking the line?" And the answer is: No, the speaker is Joan Rivers
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a Tina Fey = any woman with the qualities of Tina Fey; any woman who can play the role of Tina Fey does in the world of comedy.

Likewise,
an Einstein = anyone with very high intelligence
a Napoleon = anyone who acts like a dictator

CJ
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Hi CJ,

Thanks for your additional tips.
M
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CalifJim a Tina Fey = any woman with the qualities of Tina Fey;
I don't think there'd be "a" Tina Fey now if I hadn't tried to look good in the beginning.

Hi, CJ,
Is that the way you interpret the OP's quote?

Best wishes, - A.
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mitsuwao23 "is that her who is speaking the line?" And the answer is: No, the speaker is Joan Rivers
Thanks, M. That relieves most of my confusion. - A.
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So what's happening here is that Joan Rivers is taking some of the credit for paving the way for people "like" Tina Fey.

That puts a somewhat different interpretation on the quote. - A.
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AvangiIs that the way you interpret the OP's quote?
Yes. Joan Rivers was one of the first women, or claims to be, in comedy.

CJ
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