[Grammar] It's a look I'm going for

Status
Not open for further replies.

andi harper

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Azerbaijan
Hi. When someone comments on your appearance and people sometimes say It's a look I'm going for, which article should it be, the definite or indefinite ?
Thanks in advance .:)
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
Either one could work, depending on whether it's the only "look you are going for" or one of several.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Andi Harper, don't forget that we don't put a space before a full stop or a question mark.
 

andi harper

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Azerbaijan
Andi Harper, don't forget that we don't put a space before a full stop or a question mark.
Hi.Thanks. I'll take notice of that. Please point out any other mistakes I might make in the future.
And, any thoughts on my question? :)
 

andi harper

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Azerbaijan
Either one could work, depending on whether it's the only "look you are going for" or one of several.
I heard people say it with the indefinite article even though, I'm pretty sure they meant only one look. And what exactly do you mean by one of several? :-?
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
If you have more than one "look" for different occasions, for example.
 

andi harper

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Azerbaijan
Either one could work, depending on whether it's the only "look you are going for" or one of several.


Here's an example:
A: You look tired. You've got bags under your eyes.
B: It's a look I'm going for.
Here he's obviously talking about one look and still uses the indefinite article.
:?:
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
We don't know what the other look(s) is/are, but the use of "a" suggests that there is at least one other.
 

andi harper

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Azerbaijan
How about a sentence like this:
It's a/the better version of me.
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
What about it?
 

andi harper

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Azerbaijan
What about it?


Hi. I meant which article I should use.
P.S. Did I put the sentence correctly or should I have said: I meant which article should I use. :)
Please, help.
 
Last edited:

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
Use 'the better version' if you have only two versions — 'a better version' if you have more than two.
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I would, without a doubt, say "It's the look I was going for." At any given time, there is only one look I'm trying to achieve. I know the sentence is said sarcastically, but it still applies. I find "a" unnatural there.

I would like to hope there are many better versions of me. I'd use "a" for that one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top