Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[TCC]

Hi,
Is there any rule that we DO NOT use determiner(or indefinite article) in professional title or appellation?

For example, the sentences: "She is a teacher." and "She is teacher." Which one is better?

In my thought, since I say "She" is (a) teacher, that means the teacher is already definite one. Should we add "a" before teacher?
Thanks.

[MauraS]

We cannot say "She is teacher." We always need an article before.

"She is a teacher." "He is an accountant."

"She is the teacher." We say it this way when we are speaking about a specific teacher. For example, "She is the teacher of thie course."

Hope this helps!

[TCC]

MauraS,
Thank you for your reply.

Sorry for my bad example.
What if the subject is "I"--I am a teacher or I am teacher?

When we say "I", we are sure that the "teacher" is a specific one--myself. Since "a" is an indefinite article, should we still add an "a"?

Thanks again.

[CP]

If someone asks what you do for a living, you could say, I am a teacher.

If someone comes into the class and asks which person is the teacher [of that class], you could say, I am the teacher.

But even if it is yourself you are talking about, Maura S's advice applies: You need a determiner / an article.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb