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fw
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 361
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 Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:47 am Post subject: �your choice of dictionary" or �your choice of dictiona |
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Is the expression �your choice of dictionary� in the first sentence of the passage below grammatically correct?
In the first sentence Both monolingual and bilingual dictionaries have particular uses, and your choice of dictionary depends on your aims. If you wish to understand the general meaning of texts in a foreign language and have no need to express your own ideas in the language, you may find a bilingual dictionary sufficient. If you work as a professional translator, you will find it necessary to use specialized bilingual dictionaries.
I thought it should have been �your choice of a dictionary.� |
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m_prime
Joined: 28 Dec 2008
Posts: 52
Location: Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:35 am Post subject: |
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Hi FW
| Quote: |
| 'your choice of dictionary' |
Is correct, using 'a' (or any other article) would be incorrect.
I understand your confusion, the use of articles is extremely complicated. It's far too big a subject to go in to in detail here but I shall try to, briefly, explain.
An article - a, an, the - is basically a form of 'determiner'. So when another determiner (his, her, their, our, etc) appears it the same clause it is not necessary to include a second determiner. The determiner in your sentence is 'your', so the inclusion of 'a' as a second determiner is wrong.
Examples with aritcles
'I need a new dictionary'
'I will have to check the dictionary'
Examples with determiners
'Is that your dictionary?'
'Yes, it is my dictionary'
'No, it's his dictionary'
'It's John's dictionary'
You may notice that all the examples of the determiners above are all in the possesive form (note the inclusion of the possesive 's in John). The're are a few other determiners that you should be aware of.
Examples with demonstrative adjectives
"That dictionary is not very good"
"This dictionary was given to me..."
"These / those dictionaries are really old"
Examples with quantifies
"Any dictionary will do"
"Each / every dictionary is in alphabetical order"
I hope this gives you an idea but please note that this is not an exhaustive list and that there are also many exceptions. Please just take this a rough guide. Let me know if you have any questions. |
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fw
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 361
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| Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, m_prime, for your detailed explanation, but my main concern is why there is no determiner just beforer the countable noun "dictionary," not just before the word "choice."
I understand that you, English speakers, put some determiner before a countable noun.
Let me take another example:
How about Obama�s expression �lines of tribe� used in his Inaugural Address, below?
We cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve;�
I thought it should have been �lines of �the� tribe� or something, since the word �tribe� is basically a countable noun.
Am I not correct? |
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