I’m stuck with a and the. What is the mental process to choose between them?
2
If the word isn’t specific, so need ’a’.
Or
If the word isn’t common, so need ’the’.
Which way your mental process works?
articles
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
add a comment |
2
If the word isn’t specific, so need ’a’.
Or
If the word isn’t common, so need ’the’.
Which way your mental process works?
articles
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
Welcome to EL&U. I don't think this question can adequately be answered here, as whole chapters of grammars are devoted to the concept of definiteness and what is to be considered definite or indefinite and what determiners are used in what situations. Definiteness has nothing to do with commonality, it has to do with how the speaker expects the listener to understand a reference to a particular noun, Our sister site for English Language Learners may be of interest, or their Resources for Learning English.
– choster
5 hours ago
"This morning a woman knocked at my door with a parcel. She was not the woman who usually delivers my mail." The second woman referred to is a particular person, the first an anonymous stranger.
– Kate Bunting
3 hours ago
add a comment |
2
2
2
If the word isn’t specific, so need ’a’.
Or
If the word isn’t common, so need ’the’.
Which way your mental process works?
articles
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
If the word isn’t specific, so need ’a’.
Or
If the word isn’t common, so need ’the’.
Which way your mental process works?
articles
articles
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
asked 5 hours ago
Hemingway HongHemingway Hong
133
133
Welcome to EL&U. I don't think this question can adequately be answered here, as whole chapters of grammars are devoted to the concept of definiteness and what is to be considered definite or indefinite and what determiners are used in what situations. Definiteness has nothing to do with commonality, it has to do with how the speaker expects the listener to understand a reference to a particular noun, Our sister site for English Language Learners may be of interest, or their Resources for Learning English.
– choster
5 hours ago
"This morning a woman knocked at my door with a parcel. She was not the woman who usually delivers my mail." The second woman referred to is a particular person, the first an anonymous stranger.
– Kate Bunting
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Welcome to EL&U. I don't think this question can adequately be answered here, as whole chapters of grammars are devoted to the concept of definiteness and what is to be considered definite or indefinite and what determiners are used in what situations. Definiteness has nothing to do with commonality, it has to do with how the speaker expects the listener to understand a reference to a particular noun, Our sister site for English Language Learners may be of interest, or their Resources for Learning English.
– choster
5 hours ago
"This morning a woman knocked at my door with a parcel. She was not the woman who usually delivers my mail." The second woman referred to is a particular person, the first an anonymous stranger.
– Kate Bunting
3 hours ago
Welcome to EL&U. I don't think this question can adequately be answered here, as whole chapters of grammars are devoted to the concept of definiteness and what is to be considered definite or indefinite and what determiners are used in what situations. Definiteness has nothing to do with commonality, it has to do with how the speaker expects the listener to understand a reference to a particular noun, Our sister site for English Language Learners may be of interest, or their Resources for Learning English.
– choster
5 hours ago
Welcome to EL&U. I don't think this question can adequately be answered here, as whole chapters of grammars are devoted to the concept of definiteness and what is to be considered definite or indefinite and what determiners are used in what situations. Definiteness has nothing to do with commonality, it has to do with how the speaker expects the listener to understand a reference to a particular noun, Our sister site for English Language Learners may be of interest, or their Resources for Learning English.
– choster
5 hours ago
"This morning a woman knocked at my door with a parcel. She was not the woman who usually delivers my mail." The second woman referred to is a particular person, the first an anonymous stranger.
– Kate Bunting
3 hours ago
"This morning a woman knocked at my door with a parcel. She was not the woman who usually delivers my mail." The second woman referred to is a particular person, the first an anonymous stranger.
– Kate Bunting
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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2
You use 'the' when referring to something specific. 'The' is a definite article.
'A' when referring to something general, it's an Indefinite article.
This is 'a' computer
or
'The' computer over there
One of many sources: https://www.dictionary.com/e/definite-vs-indefinite-articles/
answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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2
You use 'the' when referring to something specific. 'The' is a definite article.
'A' when referring to something general, it's an Indefinite article.
This is 'a' computer
or
'The' computer over there
One of many sources: https://www.dictionary.com/e/definite-vs-indefinite-articles/
answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
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DracoTomes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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2
You use 'the' when referring to something specific. 'The' is a definite article.
'A' when referring to something general, it's an Indefinite article.
This is 'a' computer
or
'The' computer over there
One of many sources: https://www.dictionary.com/e/definite-vs-indefinite-articles/
answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
New contributor
DracoTomes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
2
2
2
You use 'the' when referring to something specific. 'The' is a definite article.
'A' when referring to something general, it's an Indefinite article.
This is 'a' computer
or
'The' computer over there
One of many sources: https://www.dictionary.com/e/definite-vs-indefinite-articles/
answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
New contributor
DracoTomes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You use 'the' when referring to something specific. 'The' is a definite article.
'A' when referring to something general, it's an Indefinite article.
This is 'a' computer
or
'The' computer over there
One of many sources: https://www.dictionary.com/e/definite-vs-indefinite-articles/
answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
New contributor
DracoTomes is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
New contributor
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answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
answered 5 hours ago
DracoTomesDracoTomes
493
493
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New contributor
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Welcome to EL&U. I don't think this question can adequately be answered here, as whole chapters of grammars are devoted to the concept of definiteness and what is to be considered definite or indefinite and what determiners are used in what situations. Definiteness has nothing to do with commonality, it has to do with how the speaker expects the listener to understand a reference to a particular noun, Our sister site for English Language Learners may be of interest, or their Resources for Learning English.
– choster
5 hours ago
"This morning a woman knocked at my door with a parcel. She was not the woman who usually delivers my mail." The second woman referred to is a particular person, the first an anonymous stranger.
– Kate Bunting
3 hours ago