Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[crliu]

Which is correct?

I can hold my breath under the water for two minutes or

I can hold my breath under water for two minutes.


Please help, thanks.

[obelix]

Both of them sound OK to me.

[crliu]

Do these two sentences have the same meaning?

Thanks for your reply, obelix.

[dduck]

[crliu]

Thank you, Iain. Your explanation is very clear. By the way, why people often say "The child can play the piano well", instead of "The child can play piano well"? Are both correct expressions?

[bud]

Both are correct, but to my ears the first is more likely. I can't explain why, though.

[bud]

Both are correct, but to my ears the first is more likely. I can't explain why, though.

[Lib]

Hi Crliu,
At least in British English you use 'play' without 'the' for sports: We play basketball every evening. When he was younger he used to play football.
And we use 'play' with 'the' for musical instruments: Can you play the piano? He plays the guitar in a group.
I can't say if this is the same in American English, but I imagine it is. After all, they're not all that different.

[crliu]

Thanks, Lib, for your usage rules. They are clear and easy to remember.

With regards to the "under water" question, is it also correct to say "I can hold my breath underwater for two minutes", using "underwater" as an adverb in the sentence? Does it express the same meaning as the previous two sentences? Is it preferable?

[bud]

Yes, crliu, it is correct and it is probably the most natural way to say it.

Yes, Lib, that's how "to play" works in American English, too.

[crliu]

Thanks, bud, for your reply.

Do the following sentences make sense?

Some drivers have a lot of accidents. They must pay closer attention to traffic while driving.

How do I know when to use "traffic" or "the traffic" in a phrase or sentence?

[bud]

Yes, they are correct and they make sense. Still, I would probably make two changes: "... drivers get into a lot..." and "They should pay..."

"To get into an accident" is the typical way to express the thought of having a car accident. "To have an accident" could instead mean spilling your coffee in the car, although in context your sentence would not be confused.

I cannot explain why I prefer "should" to "must." It may just be a personal preference.

Also, I'll leave it to someone else to explain when to use "the" or "a/an" or nothing. For me, it would only be a guess.

Way to go, crliu. Your English is excellent.

[dduck]

[bud]

Great explanation, dduck. It makes sense now that you've said it.