Anonymous  +  957836 Sat, 31 Oct 09 06:26 AM Hello,   Im confuse using this "a" and "the"..in a certain sentences sometimes.   could you give me an excellent example of when to use "a" in a sentence, or sometimes "a" with "the" in a sentence.     thank you! Anonymous

	Mister Micawber  +  958114 Sat, 31 Oct 09 02:24 PM There are whole books on this subject, so we cannot cover everything here. Basically, 'the' is used before a common noun which has been mentioned before in the conversation or is specific or is understood by the listener and speaker. 'A/an' is used for the first mention of a common noun or when referring to a non-specific representative of that noun. For plenty of further details, use a search engine on the phrases 'definite article' and 'indefinite article'. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,780 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Articles, Nouns, Definite Articles, Sentences, Indefinite, Speaking, Chat, Friendships, Conversational

	jemaasjr  +  958118 Sat, 31 Oct 09 02:28 PM "a" means one of a group. "the," when it is singular, means you know which one it is. You can say "A dog ran past," but you can not say "A same dog ran past," because the word "same" proves you can identify the dog, that makes it unique, so you must say "The same dog ran past." Or, A cop came to the door. The cop returned. (if the same officer)  A new police officer would be "another cop," or "a second cop." jemaasjr Joined on Wed, Sep 30 2009 Full Member 136 JohnnyBoy Sentences