alexanndra  +  8081 Mon, 15 Sep 03 03:40 AM The other day I explained the difference between definite and indefinite articles to a student, saying that "the" was specific (ex. the dog barked) and "a, an" non-specifc (eg. I want a dog). So, the next day he made a comment like "My car got stuck in the puddle", and I corrected him saying "your car got stuck in a puddle". He said no, "the" puddle, because it was a specific puddle that he got stuck in, not just any puddle. His reasoning sounded good to me, so why is it "a" instead of "the"? Help!!! alexanndra Joined on Mon, Sep 15 2003 Mexico (expat) New Member 33 Articles, Difference Between, Indefinite Articles, Definite Articles

	ryan smith  +  8082 Mon, 15 Sep 03 06:06 AM I suggest that "a" is correct since your student had not yet introduced the puddle to you. One should not use "the" unless it is understood by both people what the specific thing is. "I got stuck in a puddle." "How deep was the puddle?" "I got stuck in the puddle on 5th. You know, the one that they tried to fix last year." "This is the gun that I'm going to use." = "This is a gun. I'm going to use the gun." Anyway, by your student's logic, the statement "I want the dog" is vaild as it's not just any dog. Everything is specific to somebody! Think of "a" as intruducing an object and "the" as referring to an object introduced or commonly known. ryan smith Joined on Tue, Sep 9 2003 CLASSIFIED Full Member 199 Articles

	stevie_b  +  8111 Mon, 15 Sep 03 08:38 AM ...VERY WELL PUT, Ryan!!! Your post cleared up a problem with articles that I didn't even know I had! stevie_b Joined on Mon, Sep 15 2003 San Jose, CA New Member 11 --Steve Articles

	whl626  +  8130 Mon, 15 Sep 03 10:53 AM Alex, ( I guess you are a man ) Since I am only talking to you, so clear to the rest of others, why I still said ' a ' man instead of ' the ' ? Because whenever we use ' the ' , we also try to make comparison in addition to being only be specific on the subject or to say so with a purpose. If I said more about Alex, then it will be ' the man '. I guess you are the man who is also a teacher whl626 Joined on Sun, Aug 24 2003 Regular Member 882 Learn English every day Articles

	alexanndra  +  8284 Wed, 17 Sep 03 07:23 AM Thank you, Ryan!!! I'm am so glad I found this site and so amazed there are so many people willing to answer! I've been living in Mexico for almost 9 years now, and truthfully, my English has gotten pretty rusty and I'm often unsure if what I or my student has said is correct or not! You will definately see more of me here! Thanks again! alexanndra Articles