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Awence Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Why both "a" and "the" seem ok here?
Hi all. I always run into uncertainty when it comes to articles. Can someone recommend me an online book or a website that provide some in-depth information.
Please also look at this.
1. We took part in the funeral procession at Pasir Gudang. (i suppose "the" is the answer but i haven't checked the answer behind the book. However, i sometimes find that a sounds ok too).
Just like this,
2. I have visited a stall at Thomson Road. The stall sells all sorts of used stuff. (Yet, i find "a" is okie in this sentence. How can i stop using articles mostly instinctly? Please help!!!)
Please also look at this.
1. We took part in the funeral procession at Pasir Gudang. (i suppose "the" is the answer but i haven't checked the answer behind the book. However, i sometimes find that a sounds ok too).
Just like this,
2. I have visited a stall at Thomson Road. The stall sells all sorts of used stuff. (Yet, i find "a" is okie in this sentence. How can i stop using articles mostly instinctly? Please help!!!)
Top answer
In both your examples it's impossible to be sure, without further knowledge of the context, whether "a" or "the" is more appropriate. Generally speaking, if the specific thing that you're talking about is already known to the listener/reader then you use "the". Otherwise you use "a".
- In both your examples it's impossible to be sure, without further knowledge of the context, whether "a" or "the" is more appropriate.
- Generally speaking, if the specific thing that you're talking about is already known to the listener/reader then you use "the".
- Otherwise you use "a".
- This logic may often mean that you use "a" the first time you mention something, and "the" for the second and subsequent mentions.
- For example: "We took part in a funeral procession at Pasir Gudang.
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4 Answers
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In both your examples it's impossible to be sure, without further knowledge of the context, whether "a" or "the" is more appropriate.
Generally speaking, if the specific thing that you're talking about is already known to the listener/reader then you use "the". Otherwise you use "a". This logic may often mean that you use "a" the first time you mention something, and "the" for the second
Generally speaking, if the specific thing that you're talking about is already known to the listener/reader then you use "the". Otherwise you use "a". This logic may often mean that you use "a" the first time you mention something, and "the" for the second
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Hi Mr Wordy, thanks for your reply. Of course I am aware of the rules of repetition in articles. The question is, the sentence i mentioned above appears in an English exercise. There is no preceding nor ensuing sentence after it. Hence i have no idea, whether the procession is a known event or not.
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AwenceThere is no preceding nor ensuing sentence after it. Hence i have no idea, whether the procession is a known event or not.Sometimes common sense helps. This is your sentence:
We took part in the funeral procession at Pasir Gudang.
It is reasonable to assume that only one funeral proc
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AwenceThe question is, the sentence i mentioned above appears in an English exercise. There is no preceding nor ensuing sentence after it. Hence i have no idea, whether the procession is a known event or not.
I think it's a daft question then.
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