When restriction is situationally clear?

Question

Hi. Could we put a definite article before a noun without a subsequent restrictive clause/phrase (?) in a comprehension question (something like after watching a homemade movie among family members?)?

Who was the person that posed the ultimate question?

Who ran across the room?

Also could we write questions like this as an instruction to an assignment?

Please complete the sentences.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymous~~Could~~ Can we put a definite article before a noun without a subsequent restrictive clause/phrase (?) in a comprehension question (something like after watching a homemade movie among family members?)?

You can put a definite article before a noun without a restrictive phrase. Yes.

But I don't understand any of the rest of your question.

AnonymousWho was the person that posed the ultimate question?
Who ran across the room?

If your audience knows which question and which room you're talking about, or you can logically assume that they do, then the is appropriate in each case.

Anonymousas an instruction to an assignment?
Please complete the sentences.

It's not quite right in every detail. Here's what you need:

Please complete these sentences.
OR
Please complete the sentences below.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Could you tell me why the modal verb "could" not be correct here (the question I wrote and you corrected)? I don't know how the words "could" (which is crossed out - not by me) and "can" got to be in red

I think we can replace the modal verb "can" with the phrase "are we able to." Do you think when we can use the phrase "be able to" in a question or sentence, it denotes ability?

You corrected:

“~~Could~~ Can we put a definite article before a noun without a subsequent restrictive clause/phrase (?) in a comprehension question (something like after watching a homemade movie among family members?)?”

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousCould you tell me why the modal verb "could" is not be correct here ...?

could sounds too tentative and pleading there, as if you're begging for permission to put a definite article before a noun, the way that a child, perhaps, pleads with his mother for something.

Could we (please, please, please!) put a definite article before a noun ...? ~ Please grant us your permission to do this.

Can we put a definite article before a noun ...? ~ Is it standard practice in grammar to put a definite article before a noun ...? Will we be following standard practice if we put a definite article before a noun?

In short, can is the word that makes the question more objective (scientific, factual, in a way); could is the word that makes the question more subjective (as if I could grant you permission to break a grammatical rule).

Note the correct use of could which I quoted above: Could you tell me why ...? Here you are asking me to do you the favor of telling you something, so could is appropriate. But it's not appropriate when confirming your understanding of a grammatical rule: Can we end a sentence with a comma? Can we use "equipment" in the plural? Can I say, "I is tired"?

CJ

P.S. can does not always literally mean "be able to", although it very often means that.

Anonymous · Answer

I think all numbers 1, 2 and 3 show the correct use of the modal verb "could." I think number 1 could be taken as a polite request, number 2 as telling someone to move the big chair, and number 3 as denoting ability (all said based on what I think).

1. Could you move that big chair out of the people's way so they can move around more freely?

2. Can you move that big chair out of the people's way so they can move around more freely?

3. Can you move that big chair by yourself or do you need any help?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI think all numbers 1, 2 and 3 show the correct use of the modal verb "could."

I don't see "could" at all in #2 or #3.

AnonymousI think number 1 could be taken as a polite request, number 2 as telling someone to move the big chair, and number 3 as denoting ability (all said based on what I think).

And I think your analysis is perfect.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for all your help. Sorry for making wrong references. Numbers 2 and 3 have the modal verbs "can," not the modal verb "could."

You wrote:

Anonymous

“I think all numbers 1, 2 and 3 show the correct use of the modal verb "could."”

I don't see "could" at all in #2 or #3.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousSorry for making wrong references.

No need to apologize. It happens to all of us all the time.

CJ

When restriction is situationally clear?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions