Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

That is a/the haunted house where the legend says a man hanged himself more than 100 years ago.

Should be A?

[bud]

Either works well.

[BMO]

Isn't it one is specific and the other non-specific articles? How come both are acceptable here?

Thanks.

[Blossom]

Perhas Bud was being a bit too short in his answer?

There is a haunted house means that there is one of several haunted houses where a man hanged himself.

There is the haunted house means that there is the specific haunted house (we were talking about) where a man hanged himself.

You have to decide what you mean.

[Vin21]

I think it is the specific haunted house,because the sentence tell you itself "where the legend says a man hanged himself more than 100 years ago".Maybe this is the only haunted house where a man hanged himself more than 100 years ago.
If the story develops like this,you use "a"
"That is a haunted house.In more than 100 years ago, a man lived there......"

[bud]

Yes, I was too short in my answer.

Blossom and Vin have answered the question pretty well. It all depends on the context. The main point to consider is do you believe that I (to whom you are speaking) know about this haunted house (we were talking about it, it's been in the news recently, whatever)? If so, then the would be used. If not, then a would probably be best.

One other situation I can think of: We are driving near the house, you know something about the house and most likely I do not. Suddenly, you realize that, hey, that blue house up there on the left must be that haunted house you've read about and seen pictures of. You point it out to me and say, "That is the haunted house..." You're saying it to yourself as much as you are to me. Since you know about it and you are speaking mainly to yourself, the is used.

Articles are so difficult to explain!!!

[BMO]

Thank you all, Blossom, bud, and vin21.

So "where the legend says a man hanged himself more than 100 years ago," is not enough to warrant THE. vin21 can read my mind.

bmo

[Vin21]

[BMO]

Yes.