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  1. #1
    keen learner is offline Junior Member
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    What is the difference between...
    "I am an Indian."
    "I am Indian."?
    Thanks

  2. #2
    SoothingDave is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: Articles

    In meaning, nothing. The first uses the noun form of the demonym. The second use the adjective form. They both happen to be the same for an Indian.

    On the other hand, someone from Denmark would say:

    I am Danish.
    I am a Dane.
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  3. #3
    keen learner is offline Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by SoothingDave View Post
    In meaning, nothing. The first uses the noun form of the demonym. The second use the adjective form. They both happen to be the same for an Indian.

    On the other hand, someone from Denmark would say:

    I am Danish.
    I am a Dane.
    Would these two sentences be used in different contexts?
    Please clarify.
    Further when should I say "I am an Indian."? When should I say "I'm Indian."?

  4. #4
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    5jj
    5jj is offline Moderator
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    Default Re: Articles

    In BrE, we tend to use the adjective - ' I'm English/Indian' rather than ' I'm an Englishman/Indian'. We tend to use the noun form when the adjective would need to be followed by a noun such as 'man' or 'person' - 'My daughter is going out with an Englishman/Indian'.
    keen learner and Rover_KE like this.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


  5. #5
    keen learner is offline Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by 5jj View Post
    In BrE, we tend to use the adjective - ' I'm English/Indian' rather than ' I'm an Englishman/Indian'. We tend to use the noun form when the adjective would need to be followed by a noun such as 'man' or 'person' - 'My daughter is going out with an Englishman/Indian'.
    Alex is American.
    I met an American on a cruise. Are these sentences correct?
    When do you use "Indians"/"the Indians","Americans"/"the Americans","British/the British"?

  6. #6
    keen learner is offline Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by 5jj View Post
    In BrE, we tend to use the adjective - ' I'm English/Indian' rather than ' I'm an Englishman/Indian'. We tend to use the noun form when the adjective would need to be followed by a noun such as 'man' or 'person' - 'My daughter is going out with an Englishman/Indian'.
    I'm Indian.(Does it imply that I'm an Indian person and therefore I don't need to specify by using the article?)
    I'm Indian. I'm Chinese. I'm Swedish.(Is it used to refer to one's nationality?)

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Articles

    Quote Originally Posted by keen learner View Post
    I'm Indian.(Does it imply that I'm an Indian person and therefore I don't need to specify by using the article?)
    I'm Indian. I'm Chinese. I'm Swedish.(Is it used to refer to one's nationality?)
    Look back through the responses already given.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


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