Who else did you invite for [the] dinner?
Hello.
1) Who else did you invite for dinner?
2) Who else did you invite for the dinner?
- In what context would you use the sentences above?
- For example, let's say I and my wife plan to meet with our family tomorrow and I ask her who she invited. Which version should I choose?
I know that normally we use zero article for the word 'dinner' (meaning a midday meal). The exception is when it is further modified with a relative clause (which is of course not a case here), so I incline to #1 but maybe are there more exceptions?
On the other hand we use the definite article when speaking about a thing that is known to both a speaker and a listener, so 'the dinner' makes sense as well.
If we mean not a midday meal but rather a specific party, shouldn't we say as below?
3) Who else did you invite to the dinner?
Top answer
You have a good understanding of the matter. 'The' has to go with another modifier or with 'dinner' if it's a meal that is specifically known and referred to. It's unusual to refer to 'the dinner' in normal English but, if referring to a formal occasion it may turn up.
- You have a good understanding of the matter.
- 'The' has to go with another modifier or with 'dinner' if it's a meal that is specifically known and referred to.
- It's unusual to refer to 'the dinner' in normal English but, if referring to a formal occasion it may turn up.
- For example, a big reunion dinner could be referred to as 'the dinner' when you talk about it with another person who is going.
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You have a good understanding of the matter. 'The' has to go with another modifier or with 'dinner' if it's a meal that is specifically known and referred to. It's unusual to refer to 'the dinner' in normal English but, if referring to a formal occasion it may turn up. For example, a big reunion dinner could be referred to as 'the dinner' when you talk about it with another person who is go
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