| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
nawee
Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Posts: 400
|
 Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 12:07 am Post subject: have (the) flu |
 |
|
Hello,
Is it always "have the flu"?
a) I have the flu.
b) I have flu.
c) I have a flu.
Is there a reason why it's "have the flu", but "have a cold"? Or should I take it to be an example of the charming idiosyncrasies of the English language? (",)
Thank you,
Nawee |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
|
| Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 1:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
| To the best of my knowlwdge, it is "I have flu." Let me check. Your question has aroused my curiosity though. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lorikeet
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
|
| Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Anuradha Chepur wrote: |
| To the best of my knowlwdge, it is "I have flu." Let me check. Your question has aroused my curiosity though. |
Ah, in American English it is "have the flu." Is it different elsewhere? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
|
| Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| This could be because there is something specific involved here. Flu is something terribly contagious, so if it is in the air when one says, "I have the flu", then we are referring to something something specific, hence the definite pronoun. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Anuradha Chepur
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 933
|
| Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
Previous post continued...
Ooops, I mean the definite article. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
