|
#1
| |||
| |||
| They are getting divorced for the second time. I would say 'the second time' but i`ve noticed that 'a second,third fourth time etc.' is sometimes used.Could you explain to me when to use it? Thanks. |
|
#2
| |||
| |||
| When it means once more, you should use a. Greg made a second, a third, a fourth attempt. |
|
#3
| |||
| |||
| Hi njanja Using the determiner 'the' assumes the writer knows what the subject matter is (definitive) Using 'a' assumes the subject is not known to the writer, and is more vague in it's usage They are getting divorced for the second time is fine, as this assumes the writer does have 'inside knowledge' here In regards to 'a fourth, a fifth time etc', this is acceptable because the writer knows the existence of 'a time' but does not neccessarily have knowledge on the precise details If they do know, then you would expect this to read: I've told you not for the fourth, but for the fifth time to stop doing that In addition, consider this: The man heard a deafening scream This would assume the man did not know the source The man heard the deafening scream This would assume the man did know the source This is a simple rule you should bear in mind when writing http://www.studentproofreader.com Last edited by thestudentproofreader; 06-Jul-2006 at 11:00. |
![]() |
| Bookmarks |
| Tags |
| second, time |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
| |
Similar Threads | ||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| in a long time/ for a long time | Anonymous | Ask a Teacher | 6 | 31-May-2009 15:13 |
| Is Yesterday a past time? | shun | General Language Discussions | 10 | 13-Feb-2008 18:54 |
| Revisiting Present Perfect | jwschang | Teaching English | 39 | 07-Feb-2006 12:50 |
| high time | njanja | Ask a Teacher | 17 | 29-Aug-2005 12:31 |
| first time | navi tasan | Ask a Teacher | 8 | 30-Jul-2004 02:10 |