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Thread: indefinite article

  1. #1
    lille82 is offline Newbie
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    Default indefinite article

    "Many people think ants are a pest." Could anybody please explain why the usage of the indefinite article is correct in this sentence? Thanks.

  2. #2
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    emsr2d2 is offline Moderator
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    Default Re: indefinite article

    They are one of a group of insects commonly referred to as pests. It could just as easily have said "Many people think ants are pests".
    Remember - correct capitalisation, punctuation and spacing make posts much easier to read.

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    lille82 is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: indefinite article

    Could you give some other examples including this structure (plural noun + plural verb + a + singular noun?)

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    Default Re: indefinite article

    Some people think spiders are a pain in the neck.
    Many people think that traffic wardens are a nightmare to deal with.
    Very few people think film directors are a marvel.
    Remember - correct capitalisation, punctuation and spacing make posts much easier to read.

  5. #5
    lille82 is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: indefinite article

    Thank you so much.

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    Default Re: indefinite article

    Quote Originally Posted by lille82 View Post
    Thank you so much.
    Most people agree that language forum moderators are a great benefit to humanity.
    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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    Winwin2011 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: indefinite article

    Quote Originally Posted by emsr2d2 View Post
    Some people think spiders are a pain in the neck.
    Many people think that traffic wardens are a nightmare to deal with.
    Very few people think film directors are a marvel.
    Hi ems

    I am wondering if it is correct to say "Very few people think film directors are marvels."? Why do we use " a marvel" after "film directors are"?

    Thanks.

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