Neo Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
How far can "a" and "the" reach?
Hello, I have a question about the article.
Could you tell me the difference between the following sentences?
1. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, workshop, or party.
2. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, a workshop, or a party.
3. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, workshop, and party.
4. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, a workshop, and a party.
Similarly, please point out the difference between the followings.
5. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, orange, or pear.
6. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, an orange, or a pear.
7. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, orange, and pear.
8. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, an orange, and a pear.
Thank you,
Could you tell me the difference between the following sentences?
1. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, workshop, or party.
2. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, a workshop, or a party.
3. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, workshop, and party.
4. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, a workshop, and a party.
Similarly, please point out the difference between the followings.
5. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, orange, or pear.
6. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, an orange, or a pear.
7. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, orange, and pear.
8. Everytime he goes to the store, he buys an apple, an orange, and a pear.
Thank you,
Top answer
First, "and" includes all three while "or" means one of the three things. Next, when you have a series (list of three or more things), they should be in parallel construction (the same form of presentation). an apple, an orange, and a pear.
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First, "and" includes all three while "or" means one of the three things.
Next, when you have a series (list of three or more things), they should be in parallel construction (the same form of presentation).
Examples: ...an apple, an orange, and a pear.
...on the floor, in the desk, or under the table
...hopped, skipped, and jumped
Next, when you have a series (list of three or more things), they should be in parallel construction (the same form of presentation).
Examples: ...an apple, an orange, and a pear.
...on the floor, in the desk, or under the table
...hopped, skipped, and jumped
00
Thanks, bermbits.
sorry for being this late to thank you.
but, I still don't understand.
Let me focus on 1 and 2.
1. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, workshop, or party.
2. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, a workshop, or a party.
How are those two different?
Thanks.
sorry for being this late to thank you.
but, I still don't understand.
Let me focus on 1 and 2.
1. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, workshop, or party.
2. He meets a lot of people in a seminar, a workshop, or a party.
How are those two different?
Thanks.
00
Semantically the second group is better for illustrating the point.
The article can apply to the whole series or can be repeated, with "or" or with "and", with "a(n)" or with "the".
So 5 - 8 are all possible.
CJ
The article can apply to the whole series or can be repeated, with "or" or with "and", with "a(n)" or with "the".
So 5 - 8 are all possible.
CJ
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