Which article (a, the, zero) is suitable in each of the numbered spaces 1-9. give the reason for each choice..

Question

I went to _1_ library yesterday in order to obtain _2_book you recommended in your lecture yesterday but I was told that I had to fill in _3_ reservation form . That is why I am writing to you now. My name is Nwoye and I am a Nigerian student, studying at Beijing university. I have _4_ library card from  of . _ 6 enclosed document shows my home university registration number. I understand that __7_ library card my home university provided cannot be used here, so I would be grateful if you could provide me with_8_ letter to obtain a  card . You may contact Dr Gregory who will be happy to provide _9_ reference he usually writes for me. I look forward to hearing from you .

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Sorry. We don't do homework for you.

You try first, and we can comment on what you have done.

I hope you understand the difference between definite and indefinite references, because that's what you need to know in order to answer these questions.

CJ

EvilsEye · Answer

sorry about this but it is not my homework...im a teacher actuallyy but i wanted to know about the rules for each..i can answer them nd give u my opinion why i chose them if u want....

1.the...i think because library is know to both the person...

2.the...because again both know which book...

3.the... i dont know why but i feel it is the..

4.a....i dont know why..

5.the...because the university of nigeria is know to both...

6.the.... because again the document are definite to reciever..

7.the...because library care is mentioned before...

8. a ... i think because the writer dosent know what type of letter would enable him to get access to library...

9. the.....i dont know...

My problem is that i dont know how to differenciate different rules in this written text...i mean how can one decide exactly each one....for example if someone ask me about why i chose each i cant explain most of these but i feel that they are correct...

thanks...

CalifJim · Answer

EvilsEyefor example if someone ask me about why i chose each i cant explain most of these but i feel that they are correct

Don't worry about that. Most of us native speakers can't explain these usages very well either.

I went to the library yesterday (presumes the reader will interpret this as "the same library I always go to")

in order to obtain the book (that) you recommended in your lecture yesterday (defining clause tells which book)

but I was told that I had to fill in a reservation form. (I haven't even seen the form yet, so I can't refer to any specific form with the, as I could if it were in my hands. I can't say specifically which of hundreds of blank forms will be handed to me to fill in.)

That is why I am writing to you now. My name is Nwoye and I am a Nigerian student, studying at Beijing university. I have a library card (an example of such a card; which card is irrelevant)

from the University of Nigeria. (defining phrase tells which university)

The enclosed document shows my home university registration number. (defining adjective tells which document It says if you look inside the envelope you'll find the document I'm talking about.)

I understand that the library card (that) my home university provided (defining clause tells which library card)

cannot be used here, so I would be grateful if you could provide me with a letter (This letter doesn't even exist yet, so we can't refer to it specifically with the, as if we knew which letter it will be.)

to obtain a university of Beijing card . You may contact Dr Gregory who will be happy to provide the reference (that) he usually writes for me. (defining clause tells which reference)

...
______

Note especially the importance of the concept which one in deciding which article to use.

CJ

EvilsEye · Answer

Thank you very much for your notes...im really grateful..i have been teaching in a basic school for 3 years now but i have difficulty dealing with articles and prepositions....as for prepositions i found good books but grammar books does not contain much information about articles....i would be grateful if u can provide me with some general guidlines about article usage or refere me to a book that help me deal with these...

really thankfulll

Khoff · Answer

If you are a teacher, you should know that "I" always needs to be capitalized and that "you" has three letters, not just "u."  I know that people don't always follow grammar rules on the Internet, but this is an English forum, and we would appreciate it.  Thank you.

CalifJim · Answer

EvilsEyerefere me to a book that help me deal with these.

Try this. There's some information starting at page 90, but the whole section both before and after may help.

http://books.google.com/books?id=R4gl7uo7QTMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=huddleston+english+grammar+an+outline&source=bl&ots=lpybq58L-e&sig=v-C2UBg3C6NPg0vN92RlD9stZ_A&hl=en&ei=8fkwTenENIb4swOF3vmtBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAg#v=snippet&q=determiner&f=false

CJ

EvilsEye · Answer

Thank you very much. grateful

Which article (a, the, zero) is suitable in each of the numbered spaces 1-9. give the reason for each choice..

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions