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Do you have any examples? When I try to think of one in my head (admittedly, not trying very hard), it always comes down to a simple "_the_ if you're talking ab
by RHSeeger 6y ago
Do you have any examples? When I try to think of one in my head (admittedly, not trying very hard), it always comes down to a simple "_the_ if you're talking about a specific one, _a_ otherwise", which I'm assuming is not comprehensive.
- kthejoker2 6y agoMany times abstract nouns can omit or include the article and still be correct, the article adds specificity and sometimes it's required to be "more correct" grammar but many ESL kids don't see enough counterexamples to learn the "rule". "These are times that try men's souls" vs. "These are the times that try men's souls." "I need answers" vs. "I need the answers" "I have fear that .." vs. "I have a fear that .." Native English speakers "know" which "sound better"; many ESL kids simply do not.
- dragonwriter 6y agoEach of those pairs you present sound equally correct out of context (though in one case one is a familiar quote), but in each pair the examples have different semantics and each would sound better in different specific contexts (and sometimes they would sound equally correct even in context but have slightly different meaning, at least in connotation.)
- Dylan16807 6y agoWell, I'd replace "I have fear" with just "I fear" but that's not an issue of articles.
- kthejoker2 6y agoActually this kind of is? Many languages express the verb "to fear" as "to have fear" (tener miedo, avoir peur) so to insert an article ("I have a fear" ...") becomes almost psychologically problematic, it's "unlearning" plus learning.