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Latest post Sat, Jun 10 2006 6:38 AM by RedPenCJ. 1 replies.
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Believer  +  234420 Sat, 10 Jun 06 03:01 AM

Before I proceed to ask my question, can I ask you if we can do away with articles when writing the content of the Subject for a new post (in bullet form OK?) For example, instead of writing "a question on an article," could I say "question on article"?

I have reviewed the basic rules of/on article usage and have been wondering if the initial use of the article as underlined is appropriate. I think they are very correct but cannot put down the rule involved.

Conversation:

A: Did you bring the sample?

B: What sample? I cannot grasp/don't know what you are talking about.

A: The sample that I have shown you yesterday at your house.

B: Oh, that sample. Yes.     

In this context "the" has not been mentioned before and is only in the mind of A.
Believer
Joined on Mon, Jan 2 2006
Contributing Member 1,969
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RedPenCJ  +  234491 Sat, 10 Jun 06 06:38 AM

Sure.  You could even simply say, "Article question."

In your conversation example, it does not matter whether it has been mentioned before.

"The" sample is correct.

You are correct as to the core meaning of "the" but it also means one as distinct from another.

In your example, the speaker correctly assumes that the meaning is understood by the hearer.  The hearer simply does not remember until the speaker offers the clarification in the second statement.  Even if the hearer never did hear of it in the past, it is still correct to use "the" because the speaker is indicating that it is a particular sample distinct from another.


 
RedPenCJ
Joined on Fri, Jun 9 2006
Huntington Beach, California, USA
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