[Grammar] A teddy bear

[kadioguy]

[My original conversation]

Ms. Lee: What is this in my hand?

Students:
a. A teddy bear!
b. Teddy bear!

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1. I would like to know whether or not native speakers would use an article before singular countable nouns in everyday English like this.


2. Is the conversation natural? If not, how would you say it?

 

[tedmc]

The indefinite article is used in a sentence - It is a teddy bear. If only the name is said, the article is not used.

 

[GoesStation]

The indefinite article is used in a sentence - It is a teddy bear. If only the name is said, the article is [STRIKE]not[/STRIKE] used.

I've corrected the above. The article is required in kadioguy's dialog. A very young child who has yet to master the language might omit it.

 

[GoesStation]

[My original conversation]

Ms. Lee, holding up a stuffed animal: What's [STRIKE]is[/STRIKE] this[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]in my hand[/STRIKE]?

Students:
a. A teddy bear! :tick:
b. Teddy bear! :cross:

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1. I would like to know whether or not native speakers would use an article before singular countable nouns in everyday English like this. The article is required.

2. Is the conversation natural? If not, how would you say it?

It's natural with my extensive amendments to the teacher's question.

 

[teechar]

The indefinite article is [STRIKE]used[/STRIKE] needed in that sentence.

I take it that's what you meant.

If only the name is said, the article is not used.

What does that mean? Are you talking about proper nouns?