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BMO
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 6:07 am Post subject: Article (a and the) |
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That is a/the haunted house where the legend says a man hanged himself more than 100 years ago.
Should be A? |
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:04 am Post subject: |
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Either works well. |
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BMO
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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Isn't it one is specific and the other non-specific articles? How come both are acceptable here?
Thanks. |
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Blossom
Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 291 Location: Beijing China
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:29 pm Post subject: Haunted House. |
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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. |
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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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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......"
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:46 am Post subject: |
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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!!! |
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BMO
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:34 am Post subject: |
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BMO wrote: |
vin21 can read my mind |
Did you mean we were thinking the same (wrong) way?
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BMO
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:01 am Post subject: |
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Yes. |
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