A/the tool of communication

[Rachel Adams]

Should I use the definite or the indefinite article in my sentences? If I can use the indefinite article will the meaning of the sentences change?


1. "Internet is a/the primary tool of communication."

2. "Language is a/the primary tool of communication."

 

[GoesStation]

In both sentences, a means one of several/many. The means the only one.

 

[Rachel Adams]

In both sentences, a means one of several/many. The means the only one.

Then isn't "the" the only option in #2?

 

[5jj]

Yes, if that's what you believe.

 

[emsr2d2]

Whatever the rest of the sentence is, you need the definite article before "Internet" in sentence 1.

 

[probus]

Where I live some people use Internet with a capital I rather than the internet.

 

[Yankee]

Whatever the rest of the sentence is, you need the definite article before "Internet" in sentence 1.

Depends on context. If language and internet are both considered "primary", the indefinite article works. E.G. "Internet is a primary tool of communication along with language".

 

[5jj]

E.G. "Internet is a primary tool of communication along with language".

I don't think it's a good idea to begin a sentence with e.g. at any time, and it looks odd to me with upper-case letters.

 

[jutfrank]

Depends on context.

Also, we strongly prefer to write in complete sentences on the Ask a Teacher forum. I think it's especially important not to omit sentence subjects, as this often occurs as a learner error.

 

[Yankee]

I don't think it's a good idea to begin a sentence with e.g. at any time, and it looks odd to me with upper-case letters.

How about a comma and did you ever hit the Caps Lock by mistake?

 

[5jj]

moi? neVER.

I, like you, have been around here for quite a few years now, and I am still grateful when members point out my typos. When we are old hands with posh titles like key member or VIP member, newcomers may assume that all our posts are always error free. Even when it's obvious to the experienced that we have only made a typo rather than having made a serious mistake, this still needs to be pointed out for the sake of other members.

 

[probus]

bELIEVE IT OR NOT SOMEBODY ONCE PUBLISHED A SOFWARE TOOL THAT PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I don't think it's a good idea to begin a sentence with e.g. at any time, and it looks odd to me with upper-case letters.

Is it pronounced as "for example" or as "i" "dʒiː"?

 

[GoesStation]

Is it pronounced as "for example":cross: or as "i" "dʒiː"?:tick:

We don't translate foreign terms before pronouncing them whether they're abbreviated or not.

 

[5jj]

We don't translate foreign terms before pronouncing them whether they're abbreviated or not.

Perhaps I am unusual, but I do.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Perhaps I am unusual, but I do.

So in BrE both pronunciations can be used. Right?

 

[5jj]

I'd say versions rather than pronunciations.

For me the answer to your question is 'Yes'. You can read out the written form e.g. as for example or as /i:dʒiː/.

 

[GoesStation]

So in BrE both pronunciations can be used. Right?

At least one British person does so. You shouldn't extrapolate from a single datum.

 

[5jj]

At least one British person does so. You shouldn't extrapolate from a single datum.

Right. I was careful to say 'for me' in my last post.

 

[5jj]

Please start a new thread for fresh questions.