Read the following and see if you can get the answers. Then try to post your own examples sentences with "a" and "the" to see if you get it right!
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1. Situation: You attend a Madonna concert and happen to meet Madonna as your are leaving. You shake her hand. You tell a friend about it the next day. Which is correct?
A. I can't believe it! I shook a rockstar's hand!
B. I can't believe it! I shook the rockstar's hand!
2. Situation: You are shopping at an electronics store with your friend John. You are looking at an ipod and really want to buy one but you didn't bring any money. You return the next day and buy one. You return home and call a different friend Mary to tell her about your purchase. Do you say:
A. Hi Mary. Guess what? I bought the ipod!
B. Hi Mary. Guess what? I bought an ipod!
3. Situation: You and a friend are standing in front of an old house in your neighborhood that looks like it might be abandoned. Your friend dares you to go inside. You answer:
A. No way! This place gives me the creeps! I get the feeling it is haunted.
B. No way! This place gives me the creeps! I get a feeling it is haunted.
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Answers:
1
Madonna is one rockstar of many, so you would say "a." If you said "the" the meaning would either become "I think there are no other true rockstars besides Madonna - she is THE rockstar" or there were a bunch of other famous people there who were not rockstars (maybe a writer, a composer, an actor, and a rockstar) but you shook the rockstar's hand. (A is correct).
2
Mary wasn't with you when you were shopping the day before, so you need to tell her you bought "an" iPod. If you talked to John, you would use "the" to specify you bought the iPod you were looking at yesterday (a specific iPod). (B is correct)
3
This one is probably the hardest. Since you are talking about a specific feeling (that the house is haunted), you use "the" in this case. Note that this is a very specific description of your feeling, not just a general feeling. If you did not specify what feeling you were having specifically, you would use "a," as in "I have a bad feeling about it." In reality, to learn how to use "a" and "the" in this type of situation, you have to hear it over and over so you know without thinking. "I have a X feeling about this" and "I get the feeling that" are very much standard phrases that are always said the same. It would take too much time to reason it out in your head while you are speaking! (A is correct)
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1. Situation: You attend a Madonna concert and happen to meet Madonna as your are leaving. You shake her hand. You tell a friend about it the next day. Which is correct?
A. I can't believe it! I shook a rockstar's hand!
B. I can't believe it! I shook the rockstar's hand!
2. Situation: You are shopping at an electronics store with your friend John. You are looking at an ipod and really want to buy one but you didn't bring any money. You return the next day and buy one. You return home and call a different friend Mary to tell her about your purchase. Do you say:
A. Hi Mary. Guess what? I bought the ipod!
B. Hi Mary. Guess what? I bought an ipod!
3. Situation: You and a friend are standing in front of an old house in your neighborhood that looks like it might be abandoned. Your friend dares you to go inside. You answer:
A. No way! This place gives me the creeps! I get the feeling it is haunted.
B. No way! This place gives me the creeps! I get a feeling it is haunted.
--
Answers:
1
Madonna is one rockstar of many, so you would say "a." If you said "the" the meaning would either become "I think there are no other true rockstars besides Madonna - she is THE rockstar" or there were a bunch of other famous people there who were not rockstars (maybe a writer, a composer, an actor, and a rockstar) but you shook the rockstar's hand. (A is correct).
2
Mary wasn't with you when you were shopping the day before, so you need to tell her you bought "an" iPod. If you talked to John, you would use "the" to specify you bought the iPod you were looking at yesterday (a specific iPod). (B is correct)
3
This one is probably the hardest. Since you are talking about a specific feeling (that the house is haunted), you use "the" in this case. Note that this is a very specific description of your feeling, not just a general feeling. If you did not specify what feeling you were having specifically, you would use "a," as in "I have a bad feeling about it." In reality, to learn how to use "a" and "the" in this type of situation, you have to hear it over and over so you know without thinking. "I have a X feeling about this" and "I get the feeling that" are very much standard phrases that are always said the same. It would take too much time to reason it out in your head while you are speaking! (A is correct)
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コメント(18)
YESSS!!
The answers are "A,B,A" yay!
I chose all correct! This is incredible! Now I feel pretty good!
You know what, I really feel sick of my grammar. Honestly I chose all of them by my instinct.
I think I can sleep well tonight lol
Thanks J to put answers after those questions. Oops I gotta back to another thread to put an answer for the sake of you ! :D
The answers are "A,B,A" yay!
I chose all correct! This is incredible! Now I feel pretty good!
You know what, I really feel sick of my grammar. Honestly I chose all of them by my instinct.
I think I can sleep well tonight lol
Thanks J to put answers after those questions. Oops I gotta back to another thread to put an answer for the sake of you ! :D
Oh goodness...Σ(￣□￣；)
I got only one correct answer (つД T)
But I guess I understand ジェイさん's explanation.
my own example....
I went to downtown to meet my friend.
On my way home, I saw a very handsome boy!（￣∇￣*）~~~
The next day, I went to downtown on an errands again.
Then, at the same bus stop, I saw the handsome boy again!
Please correct them if there are any mistakes!
Thanks （*’∀’*）♪
I got only one correct answer (つД T)
But I guess I understand ジェイさん's explanation.
my own example....
I went to downtown to meet my friend.
On my way home, I saw a very handsome boy!（￣∇￣*）~~~
The next day, I went to downtown on an errands again.
Then, at the same bus stop, I saw the handsome boy again!
Please correct them if there are any mistakes!
Thanks （*’∀’*）♪
Mika - perfect use of a/the!
Perhaps I'll make a post on why later, but here are changes to make your English even more natural:
I went downtown to meet my friend.
On my way home, I saw a very handsome boy!（￣∇￣*）~~~
The next day, I went downtown to run some errands again.
Then, at the same bus stop, I saw the handsome boy again!
Perhaps I'll make a post on why later, but here are changes to make your English even more natural:
I went downtown to meet my friend.
On my way home, I saw a very handsome boy!（￣∇￣*）~~~
The next day, I went downtown to run some errands again.
Then, at the same bus stop, I saw the handsome boy again!
Daisy>
"I have the habit of reading books" is the better way to say it. If you say "I get the habit of reading books" a native speaker will probably misinterpret that. They would interpret that as being approximately equivalent to "I understand why people like to read." The use of "get" in that sentence is interpretted as expressing an understanding, as in "I get it". I am not sure if that is an idiom or a slang, but I know as a native speaker that "get" is sometimes used that way. My preference would be to say: "Reading is one of my hobbies."
Note that "get" is used differently in sentence #3. In that instance, it indicates an acquisition of something, which is the primary use for "get".
"I have the habit of reading books" is the better way to say it. If you say "I get the habit of reading books" a native speaker will probably misinterpret that. They would interpret that as being approximately equivalent to "I understand why people like to read." The use of "get" in that sentence is interpretted as expressing an understanding, as in "I get it". I am not sure if that is an idiom or a slang, but I know as a native speaker that "get" is sometimes used that way. My preference would be to say: "Reading is one of my hobbies."
Note that "get" is used differently in sentence #3. In that instance, it indicates an acquisition of something, which is the primary use for "get".
Daisy,
This is where "a" and "the" really start to just be habits that people have. We use "a" or "the" in certain places just because that is how we've heard everyone else say it all of our lives. We don't notice when it is right, but we will notice when it is wrong. These are really good questions, but I think you'll have better luck focusing on bigger picture stuff - the basics of "a" and "the." From there, you'll learn as you hear/read how it is used by other people. Still, I'll try to explain a bit...
There is also "get in the habit of" or "get into the habit of" - perhaps you are just leaving out the "in"? The meaning is to "start verbing regularly".
I'd like to get into the habit of practicing English every day.
This is where "a" and "the" gets really hard, by the way.
For example, if you always talk with your mouth full and someone gets mad at you, you could shrug your shoulders and say, "It's just a habit."
You would not say "It's just the bad habit." It doesn't make sense.
However, I think either of the following would be correct:
I have a habit of talking with my mouth full.
I have the habit of talking with my mouth full.
(both a and the are used by native speakers -- one may be technically correct, I'm not sure, but they are both in common use).
"I have a habit of" and "I have the habit of" are pretty much equal and both are used.
This is where "a" and "the" really start to just be habits that people have. We use "a" or "the" in certain places just because that is how we've heard everyone else say it all of our lives. We don't notice when it is right, but we will notice when it is wrong. These are really good questions, but I think you'll have better luck focusing on bigger picture stuff - the basics of "a" and "the." From there, you'll learn as you hear/read how it is used by other people. Still, I'll try to explain a bit...
There is also "get in the habit of" or "get into the habit of" - perhaps you are just leaving out the "in"? The meaning is to "start verbing regularly".
I'd like to get into the habit of practicing English every day.
This is where "a" and "the" gets really hard, by the way.
For example, if you always talk with your mouth full and someone gets mad at you, you could shrug your shoulders and say, "It's just a habit."
You would not say "It's just the bad habit." It doesn't make sense.
However, I think either of the following would be correct:
I have a habit of talking with my mouth full.
I have the habit of talking with my mouth full.
(both a and the are used by native speakers -- one may be technically correct, I'm not sure, but they are both in common use).
"I have a habit of" and "I have the habit of" are pretty much equal and both are used.
Oh, I missed ‘into.’
I wanted to say“get into the habit of reading books” meaning
「本を読む習慣をつける」in Japanese,
and by “have a habit of reading books” I meant 「本を読む習慣がある」.
Maybe I had misunderstood it.
I had assumed the usage of “habit” in “a habit of talking with my mouth full”
and that in “the habit of reading books” were different. The former one means 癖（くせ）as ジェイ wrote “It’s just a bad habit.” ; the latter one means 習慣, doing something
on a regular basis for your benefit: jogging, reading books, studying English, etc.
So, my understanding was “get into the habit of reading books (acquisition),
and “have a habit of reading books” (just talking about one of the habits you have)
It’s still confusing, but I’ll try to figure it out anyway.
Thank you, chiung, ジェイ.
I wanted to say“get into the habit of reading books” meaning
「本を読む習慣をつける」in Japanese,
and by “have a habit of reading books” I meant 「本を読む習慣がある」.
Maybe I had misunderstood it.
I had assumed the usage of “habit” in “a habit of talking with my mouth full”
and that in “the habit of reading books” were different. The former one means 癖（くせ）as ジェイ wrote “It’s just a bad habit.” ; the latter one means 習慣, doing something
on a regular basis for your benefit: jogging, reading books, studying English, etc.
So, my understanding was “get into the habit of reading books (acquisition),
and “have a habit of reading books” (just talking about one of the habits you have)
It’s still confusing, but I’ll try to figure it out anyway.
Thank you, chiung, ジェイ.
"Into" makes the meaning clearer but I prefer not to use "habit". One of the defining characteristics of a habit is that it is involuntary or done unconsciously. For example, the habit of talking with your mouth full is done without realizing that you are doing it. If you say that you have a habit of reading books, that implies that it is a compulsive act which is done without thinking about it. An example would be if you pick up random books and just start reading. "Hobby" is better.
Chiung,
I know what you mean about habits - they tend to be automatic. A lot of people also use "habit" in regards to less unconscious things, like the habit of exercising, reading books, etc.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22habit+of+reading%22
I tend to think of "habit" as something done on a regular basis while "hobby" is something done for fun that is not one's main job - something on the side - without much regard to wether the frequency is regular or not.
This probably underscores one principle: even words which are very much in common use are used slightly differently by different people. This adds to confusion, but it also adds to creativity!
Did you like how I slipped in a colon? ;-)
I know what you mean about habits - they tend to be automatic. A lot of people also use "habit" in regards to less unconscious things, like the habit of exercising, reading books, etc.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22habit+of+reading%22
I tend to think of "habit" as something done on a regular basis while "hobby" is something done for fun that is not one's main job - something on the side - without much regard to wether the frequency is regular or not.
This probably underscores one principle: even words which are very much in common use are used slightly differently by different people. This adds to confusion, but it also adds to creativity!
Did you like how I slipped in a colon? ;-)
酢七面鳥>
I am aware that "habit" is used that way by many Americans, but I have never accepted that usage of the word.
See the 12 definitions of habit at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=habit&x=65&y=17
And the 9 definitions of habit at http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/habit
The habit of reading doesn't seem to fit any of these. The closest definition that may be applicable would be "customary practice". If you read every day after dinner, then that would be a habit. However, the regularity of this activity was not elucidated in the original statement: "I have the habit of reading." "Habit" would be fine in the sentence if it were expanded to something like:"I have the habit of reading every night before going to bed."
I am aware that "habit" is used that way by many Americans, but I have never accepted that usage of the word.
See the 12 definitions of habit at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=habit&x=65&y=17
And the 9 definitions of habit at http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/habit
The habit of reading doesn't seem to fit any of these. The closest definition that may be applicable would be "customary practice". If you read every day after dinner, then that would be a habit. However, the regularity of this activity was not elucidated in the original statement: "I have the habit of reading." "Habit" would be fine in the sentence if it were expanded to something like:"I have the habit of reading every night before going to bed."
;-) I hear what you are saying, chiung. You choose to use a more limited meaning like that of 7b in the Miriam-Webster dictionary link. Do you think that the definition of 6 would probably fit the "habit of reading"?
Anyhow, it's fine to personally not accept a particular meaning of any word - I won't try and force you to use "habit" in any particular way *smile*. If you click on my google link, you can see that many reputable sources use the exact phrase "habit of reading," like government sites, a graduate dissertation, a prominent newspaper, etc.
I have a word that I hate how some people commonly use: ignorant. I think of that word as meaning "uninformed" or "uneducated" as when someone ignores the facts and chooses to not learn something. Some people use it in a way that means, "rude, arrogant" as in "when you came here {on this thread today} you didn't say hi to me but instead you acted ignorant and immature by not saying a simple "hi" and then you said ..."
Anyhow, I seem to have a habit of going on and on in my posts...
Anyhow, it's fine to personally not accept a particular meaning of any word - I won't try and force you to use "habit" in any particular way *smile*. If you click on my google link, you can see that many reputable sources use the exact phrase "habit of reading," like government sites, a graduate dissertation, a prominent newspaper, etc.
I have a word that I hate how some people commonly use: ignorant. I think of that word as meaning "uninformed" or "uneducated" as when someone ignores the facts and chooses to not learn something. Some people use it in a way that means, "rude, arrogant" as in "when you came here {on this thread today} you didn't say hi to me but instead you acted ignorant and immature by not saying a simple "hi" and then you said ..."
Anyhow, I seem to have a habit of going on and on in my posts...
hi guys,
It's really an intersting discussion I thought. Since Im not involved this "habit and hobby" issue. I felt free to read you guys talking *sorry ;)*
I have some words which I dont prefer to use in Japanese. I just can't remember what world is. May I say my favorite excuse ? "its middle of the night Zzz so..I feel like sleeping " hahaha
well, I think to use/choose words are one's preference. It's no need to be technically speaking in daily conversation. That's the point. If you got to speach in a big hall with many people, you should care about your words... in my opinion.
Anyway, have a lovely happy weekend !
It's really an intersting discussion I thought. Since Im not involved this "habit and hobby" issue. I felt free to read you guys talking *sorry ;)*
I have some words which I dont prefer to use in Japanese. I just can't remember what world is. May I say my favorite excuse ? "its middle of the night Zzz so..I feel like sleeping " hahaha
well, I think to use/choose words are one's preference. It's no need to be technically speaking in daily conversation. That's the point. If you got to speach in a big hall with many people, you should care about your words... in my opinion.
Anyway, have a lovely happy weekend !
＞酢七面鳥
hmmm I never knew that before. That's not good.
ok I got it. Then I'll lodge a pretty strong complaint against the white house right now lol
I hope he will change next time when he got to speach about nuclear issue :D
ところで、それは訛ってるということでしょうか?
Does he have a dialect?
I have a kyushu accent though 笑
hmmm I never knew that before. That's not good.
ok I got it. Then I'll lodge a pretty strong complaint against the white house right now lol
I hope he will change next time when he got to speach about nuclear issue :D
ところで、それは訛ってるということでしょうか?
Does he have a dialect?
I have a kyushu accent though 笑
I would say that Bush talks with a bit of a "country" accent. American English doesn't have much in the way of true dialects although people may use slightly different pronunciation, slang, and grammar structures. For example, Texans use "Y'all" as in "How y'all doin'". In California and many other places, people say "You guys", as in "How have you guys been?"
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