a/the bus station

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AlexAD

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Hello.

I have encountered a sentence 'Where is the bus station' ?
Can I put the indefinite article instead of definite one?
If I can't, why not? (the context remains the same).

Thanks, Alex.
 

bhaisahab

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Hello.

I have encountered a sentence 'Where is the bus station'
Can I put the indefinite article instead of definite one?
If I can't, why not? (the context remains the same).

Thanks, Alex.
If you know that there is a bus station in the town, "Where is the bus station?" is the correct way to ask. If you don't know whether there is a bus station or not, you should ask "Is there a bus station?"
 

AlexAD

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Ok. Assuming that I know there is a bus station in the town but I have never been there, what the definite article in the question would mean?
 

5jj

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Ok. Assuming that I know there is a bus station in the town but I have never been there, what would the definite article in the question [STRIKE]would [/STRIKE]mean?
It would mean that you assume that there is only one bus station.
 

bhaisahab

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Ok. Assuming that I know there is a bus station in the town but I have never been there, what the definite article in the question would mean?
That's an odd question. What, in your opinion, does the definite article usually mean?
 

5jj

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AlexAD

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It would mean that you assume that there is only one bus station.
No. I am sorry if I expressed my thoughts not clear enough. I mean that I know that there are buses in the town but I don't know anywhere where they stop. If I asked 'Where is a bus station', to me. that would mean that I wish to know any of the bus stops around here. Otherwise, If I replaced a with the I would ask about some particular bus stop, wouldn't I? May be the refers to the nearest bus stop?
 

bhaisahab

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No. I am sorry if I expressed my thoughts not clear enough. I mean that I know that there are buses in the town but I don't know anywhere where they stop. If I asked 'Where is a bus station', to me. that would mean that I wish to know any of the bus stops iaround here. Otherwise, If I replaced a with the I would ask about some particular bus stop, wouldn't I?
A bus stop is not the same as a bus station. A sensible question, if you are looking for a bus stop, would be: "Is there a bus stop near here?"
 

AlexAD

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A bus stop is not the same as a bus station. A sensible question, if you are looking for a bus stop, would be: "Is there a bus stop near here?"
Really... I am so sorry I confused these two. :-| It was a surprise to me!
I have to google this thoroughly.

Thank you!
 
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