Q:How to use the indefinite and definite articles correctly is pretty difficult for non-native learners of English like me. Case in point is the usage of "a" in the following sentence. I wonder if there is any difference in meaning if "the" is used there instead. Or do we have to use the indefinite article in a case like this. If so, why is that?
"On their way home after celebrating their 25th anniversary, the wife thanks her husband for a wonderful evening."
A:Examples like this one weigh in on me how lucky I am to know English already. Certainly, the evening referred to is a definite one to both parties to the conversation. Nevertheless, "Thank you for a wonderful evening" is the usual way of putting it, though "the" would also be acceptable -- in fact, to my ear, a little more dignified.
I think maybe the idea is this: In thanking you for the evening I have to inform you that it was wonderful (for me). So "Thank you for a wonderful evening" is short for "It was a wonderful evening. Thank you". There, the indefinite article is clearly right.