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MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
'with a click of the button' vs 'with the click of a button'
Hi,
(1) I understand both versions are correct grammar?
(2) I wonder if both versions are "equally common"?
The version 'with a click of the button' looks "more logical" to me (in most practical contexts) as it puts emphasis on the fact that only a single CLICK is required to accomplish a certain task? On the other hand, in contexts where the speaker/writer needs to emphasize that only ONE button is necessary to perform an operation, the second version would be preferable (only possible)?
Thank you for your comments!
mus-te
(1) I understand both versions are correct grammar?
(2) I wonder if both versions are "equally common"?
The version 'with a click of the button' looks "more logical" to me (in most practical contexts) as it puts emphasis on the fact that only a single CLICK is required to accomplish a certain task? On the other hand, in contexts where the speaker/writer needs to emphasize that only ONE button is necessary to perform an operation, the second version would be preferable (only possible)?
Thank you for your comments!
mus-te
Top answer
1-- I agree. 2-- I would hesitate to guess. However, Google gives 'with the click of a button' — About 18,600,000 results 'with a click of the button' — About 889,000 results The second phrase probably does not suggest only one button but more likely a specific button in the context (perhaps a user's manual)—which explains in part why #2 is less common than #1, which is a general idiomatic phrase (meaning, not precisely one click, but the general ease with which a task is accomplished).
- 1-- I agree.
- 2-- I would hesitate to guess.
- However, Google gives 'with the click of a button' — About 18,600,000 results 'with a click of the button' — About 889,000 results The second phrase probably does not suggest only one button but more likely a specific button in the context (perhaps a user's manual)—which explains in part why #2 is less common than #1, which is a general idiomatic phrase (meaning, not precisely one click, but the general ease with which a task is accomplished).
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1 Answers
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1-- I agree.
2-- I would hesitate to guess. However, Google gives
'with the click of a button' — About 18,600,000 results
'with a click of the button' — About 889,000 results
The second phrase probably does not suggest only one button but more likely a specific button in the context (perhaps a user's manual)—which explains in part why #2 is less common than #1, which is
2-- I would hesitate to guess. However, Google gives
'with the click of a button' — About 18,600,000 results
'with a click of the button' — About 889,000 results
The second phrase probably does not suggest only one button but more likely a specific button in the context (perhaps a user's manual)—which explains in part why #2 is less common than #1, which is
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