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We saw a giraffe at the zoo. (Here, a giraffe is some giraffe in general).
The giraffe is the tallest animal. (Here, the giraffe is a type of animal).
But what should I say in the following case:
My girlfriend and I are walking around the zoo. Then going past a cage with a giraffe, I say to her "Misty, ? giraffe gave me a smile!"
What word ought I to put before "giraffe"? If I use "the", it will mean "a type of animal", isn't it?.. There remains only "this" or "that"...
It was somewhat note worthy (!), and so 'that' would seem appropriate.
No, not really, here it would mean this particular giraffe.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboy
I don't think you can dismiss "a" as an impossible answer. Perhaps, you are surprised that a giraffe, any giraffe at all, not just that particular one, can smile.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboy
I can be wrong, of course.
You're right, I think. It is surprising. Any one of a, the or that would probably be ok. My answer was simply what I would probably say.
Thank you!
I think the clue here is that Oldboy said "a cage with a giraffe" this means ONE cage and ONE giraffe. So, unless Bitpicker comes and proves otherwise... I would not use "a" as a possible answer here. It would be either "that" or "the."
If there were more than one, then "a" would be okay to use.
Bitpicker???