Seraphin  +  544151 Sun, 20 Jul 08 10:56 PM I think the sentences below mean something slightly different from one to another, but can someone explain to me exactly what the differences are? Thanks "Implementation of a new policy under THE control of a government ..." "Implementation of a new policy under A control of the government ..." "Implementation of a new policy under THE control of THE government ..." "Implementation of a new policy under a control of a government ..." Seraphin Joined on Sat, Feb 9 2008 Full Member 151

	Philip  +  544159 Sun, 20 Jul 08 11:22 PM Without context, your only choice that makes sense to me is the/the. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

	Seraphin  +  544167 Mon, 21 Jul 08 12:00 AM Are you suggesting that with the "right" contexts, all expressions could be correct?  This is exactly what I am trying to find out - which context should be paired with which expression. I can't come up with examples for each one of them myself, and thus am confused about the differences among them. Seraphin

	Philip  +  544205 Mon, 21 Jul 08 02:03 AM The only one I can find a correct context for is the the/the option. Philip

	Mr Wordy  +  544209 Mon, 21 Jul 08 02:18 AM "under a control" is highly unlikely. With a real struggle, it seems just about possible if "a control" refers to some controlling measure that the government has taken. "the government" is much more likely, usually meaning a specific government that's identified by context. "a government" is less likely, but is possible if you are talking about the behaviour of governments in general, and "a government" means "any government". Mr Wordy Joined on Tue, May 27 2008 Senior Member 2,359 Native British English speaker