IPad

Question

I've never seen an iPad until yesterday so I asked the guy next to me:

Is that the iPad or should it be:

Is that an iPad.

I guess with the I'm trying to emphasize how rare it is and to me it's not an everyday find.

Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

PreciousJones~~I've~~ I had never seen an iPad until yesterday so I asked the guy next to me:

Is that the iPad or should it be:

Is that an iPad.

I guess with the I'm trying to emphasize how rare it is and to me it's not an everyday find.

Both are correct (but you need a question mark).

Is that the iPad? = Is that the "famous" iPad that everybody knows about and is talking about?

Is that an iPad? = Is that an example of the iPad? / Is that one of those devices called "iPad"?

I'm not so sure that emphasis on the rarity of the device (to you) is the correct approach for explaining "the", but I think I do see your point in a vague way.

CJ

IPad

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