Question “Where is” + indefinite article

Multi tool use
Can we ask a question "Where is a snake?" instead of "Where is the snake"?
Now what's about the longer story?
My friend told me there are six snakes in the grass. I went there and I ask myself:
- Where is a snake?
- It is in the grass.
I assume I, while asking, decide the meaning of the sentence, so both forms are correct? In this example I know about six snakes and I don't care about which one I ask, because any of them is important for me. So this snake is not specified, because I choose so.
Is there any grammatical rule that says we must use definite article aftere "Where is?". Who decides if a thing is (the) specified or (a) unspecified?
questions definite-articles indefinite-articles where
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Can we ask a question "Where is a snake?" instead of "Where is the snake"?
Now what's about the longer story?
My friend told me there are six snakes in the grass. I went there and I ask myself:
- Where is a snake?
- It is in the grass.
I assume I, while asking, decide the meaning of the sentence, so both forms are correct? In this example I know about six snakes and I don't care about which one I ask, because any of them is important for me. So this snake is not specified, because I choose so.
Is there any grammatical rule that says we must use definite article aftere "Where is?". Who decides if a thing is (the) specified or (a) unspecified?
questions definite-articles indefinite-articles where
New contributor
Syjskc is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Can we ask a question "Where is a snake?" instead of "Where is the snake"?
Now what's about the longer story?
My friend told me there are six snakes in the grass. I went there and I ask myself:
- Where is a snake?
- It is in the grass.
I assume I, while asking, decide the meaning of the sentence, so both forms are correct? In this example I know about six snakes and I don't care about which one I ask, because any of them is important for me. So this snake is not specified, because I choose so.
Is there any grammatical rule that says we must use definite article aftere "Where is?". Who decides if a thing is (the) specified or (a) unspecified?
questions definite-articles indefinite-articles where
New contributor
Syjskc is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Can we ask a question "Where is a snake?" instead of "Where is the snake"?
Now what's about the longer story?
My friend told me there are six snakes in the grass. I went there and I ask myself:
- Where is a snake?
- It is in the grass.
I assume I, while asking, decide the meaning of the sentence, so both forms are correct? In this example I know about six snakes and I don't care about which one I ask, because any of them is important for me. So this snake is not specified, because I choose so.
Is there any grammatical rule that says we must use definite article aftere "Where is?". Who decides if a thing is (the) specified or (a) unspecified?
questions definite-articles indefinite-articles where
questions definite-articles indefinite-articles where
New contributor
Syjskc is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Syjskc is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Syjskc is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 6 mins ago
SyjskcSyjskc
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1
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