Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: a (the) leg of the table

  1. #1
    Властелин
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Russia
    Posts
    1,037
    Rep Power
    24

    a (the) leg of the table

    My grammar book says that in English in phrases like a (the) leg of the table, a (the) wheel of the car both definite and indefinite article can be used. What would native speakers say to that? Are the and a completely interchangeable in such phrases?

  2. #2
    Завсегдатай chaika's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Чапелхилловка, NC USA
    Posts
    1,986
    Rep Power
    19
    No. любая нога стола = a leg; oпределенная нога - the leg. нормальное употребление артиклей.

  3. #3
    Властелин
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Russia
    Posts
    1,037
    Rep Power
    24
    Here is the exact quote from the book:

    The definite article is used, alongside the indefinite, when 
    there is a definite number of component parts: the (a) leg of the
    table, the (a) wheel of the car, the (an) ear of a dog.

    Does that make sense? Or it's arguable?

  4. #4
    zxc
    zxc is offline
    Почтенный гражданин
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    151
    Rep Power
    11
    Quote Originally Posted by alexsms View Post
    My grammar book says that in English in phrases like a (the) leg of the table, a (the) wheel of the car both definite and indefinite article can be used. What would native speakers say to that? Are the and a completely interchangeable in such phrases?
    Well, yes and no. Either article can be used, but the meaning doesn't stay the same, they're not interchangeable with a constant meaning.

Similar Threads

  1. It's on the(a) table.
    By Selexin in forum Learn English - Грамматика, переводы, словарный запас
    Replies: 73
    Last Post: March 27th, 2010, 05:19 AM
  2. Is there pronouncing table for ъ?
    By nadavvin in forum Pronunciation, Speech & Accent
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: July 16th, 2007, 08:27 AM
  3. Help with table manners
    By zakuski in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: June 9th, 2006, 04:01 PM
  4. How to translate "water table" into Russian?
    By lather in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: May 5th, 2006, 01:39 PM
  5. At the table
    By Knave in forum Translate This!
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: July 13th, 2004, 08:45 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Russian Lessons                           

Russian Tests and Quizzes            

Russian Vocabulary